[Pseudotumoral presentation of cat scratch disease].
BACKGROUND
A frequent cause of chronic benign lymphadenopathy, cat-scratch disease (CSD) occurs mainly in children and young adults. Bartonella henselae is the agent responsible for CSD. The most common symptoms of the disease are regional lymphadenopathy and fever. Atypical forms occur in about 10% of patients; among them, CSD may initially present as a tumor.


METHODS
A 4-year-old child developed a 'tumor' of the arm with fever. The values of white blood cell count and CRP were normal. Ultrasonography, MRI and arteriography did not contribute to the diagnosis, which was established on histologic examination and serologic test for infection with B. henselae. The outcome was favorable with antibiotic treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
In case of tumor of the limbs, cat-scratch disease should be searched for.
Eckart
P
P
Service de pédiatrie, centre hospitalier Robert-Bisson, BP 7223, 14107 Lisieux, France. eckart14@aol.com
Tournade
G
G
Amiour
M
M
Guillot
M
M
Courthéoux
P
P
Rousselot
P
P
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001132:Arm / Q000473:pathology*; D002372:Cat-Scratch Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents