Imaging manifestations of cat-scratch disease.
Cat-scratch disease affects an estimated 22,000 people in the United States each year, more than half of whom are children or adolescents [1]. It is caused by Bartonella henselae, a gram-negative bacillus usually introduced by the scratch of a cat [2]. In the past, diagnosis was made if three of the following four criteria were met: (1) history of cat exposure with inoculation, (2) positive skin test: (3) absent laboratory and histopathologic evidence of other diseases, and (4) biopsy findings of granulomatous inflammation [3]. Recent identification of the causative organism has led to new diagnostic tests, including serum assays for B. henselae antibodies [4]. Although response of the disease to antibiotics is poor, spontaneous recovery generally occurs within months to years [3].
Hopkins
K L
KL
Department of Radiology, Egleston Children's Hospital at Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Simoneaux
S F
SF
Patrick
L E
LE
Wyly
J B
JB
Dalton
M J
MJ
Snitzer
J A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D018416:Bartonella henselae; D002372:Cat-Scratch Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male