Bilateral eyelid edema as a manifestation of infectious mononucleosis

Abstract

Objective: To report the case of a pediatric patient with bilateral eyelid edema associated with infectious mononucleosis, which was asymmetric at onset.
Clinical case: 16-month-old male patient with a history of fever, with bad general condition and pharyngitis of one week of evolution, presenting with edema and erythema of the upper eyelid of the right eye, of acute onset, that later involved the left eye. Laboratory tests ordered detected anti-IgM antibodies positive for Epstein-Barr virus according to which infectious mononucleosis was diagnosed. The course of action decided on was follow-up with no medical therapy and, after 7 days, the picture resolved spontaneously.
Conclusion: Eyelid edema is a sign that may be due to diverse etiologies, some of which are life-threatening, while others are more harmless. It should be stressed that infectious mononucleosis is a differential diagnosis to be considered as was the case in this patient.

Keywords: eyelid edema, Epstein-Barr virus, infectious mononucleosis, children.