Bitemporal Oedema in a Child: A Rare Manifestation of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection.

Abstract

Primary infection by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is common in children, can affect multiple organs and be associated with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. We present the case of a 7-year-old female patient assessed in the emergency department for bitemporal swelling with a one-day evolution, following self-limiting odynophagia and fever 1 week earlier. Physical examination revealed a soft, bitemporal swelling, more evident on the right, painful on palpation, with no other inflammatory signs. The soft tissue ultrasound showed no alterations, and the CT scan showed thickening of the right parietotemporal epicranial soft tissues, of an imprecise nature. At a 2-week follow-up consultation, swelling had completely resolved. The serological study revealed previous contact with cytomegalovirus and positive EBV IgG and IgM with negative EBNA IgG and EA IgG, indicative of acute EBV infection. Bitemporal oedema is a very atypical and rare presentation of primary EBV infection, with very few cases previously reported. The aim of this clinical case is to draw attention to the importance of considering EBV infection in the differential diagnosis of situations like the one described.