Uncomplicated cat-scratch disease: findings at CT, MR imaging, and radiography.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the epidemiologic, clinical, and imaging features of cat-scratch disease (CSD) to facilitate prompt recognition and noninvasive diagnosis of this condition.


METHODS
Eight otherwise healthy patients with pet cats presented with the subacute onset of epitrochlear, axillary, or groin masses. All underwent cross-sectional imaging with computed tomography (CT) (n = 1) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (n = 7). Five patients underwent radiography of the elbow.


RESULTS
In all patients, MR imaging and CT showed a poorly defined soft-tissue mass with extensive surrounding edema in an efferent lymphatic distribution. Radiography revealed only soft-tissue edema in two patients and an ill-defined soft-tissue mass with soft-tissue edema in three patients. Six patients underwent biopsy; the findings of all pathologic specimens supported the diagnosis of CSD. No patients underwent serologic evaluation. All patients were asymptomatic within 4 weeks of beginning antibiotic therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
CSD should be considered in all patients with upper extremity or head and neck adenopathy and a history of cat exposure. Although generally not required for diagnosis, cross-sectional imaging will reveal a mass with surrounding edema in an area of lymphatic drainage.
Dong
P R
PR
Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine 90024-6952, USA.
Seeger
L L
LL
Yao
L
L
Panosian
C B
CB
Johnson
B L
BL
Eckardt
J J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001175:Arthrography; D002372:Cat-Scratch Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed