Cat-scratch disease mimicking rhabdomyosarcoma.
A 12-year-old boy who had injured his elbow presented with a lump in the epitrochlear area. Originally thought to be a hematoma, then later myositis ossificans, this mass was actually a lymph node with large, reactive germinal centers. Although stains for acid-fast bacilli, fungal organisms, bacteria, and cat-scratch disease were negative, serological testing for detection of Rochalimaea henselae organisms found evidence of cat-scratch disease. We would like to remind orthopaedic surgeons to consider this diagnosis in evaluating masses of the soft tissues of the extremities.
Fox
B C
BC
Division of Infectious Disease, University of Illinois School of Medicine, Urbana.
Gurtler
R A
RA
D002372:Cat-Scratch Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004550:Elbow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012287:Rickettsiaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D000092464:Elbow Injuries