title: [Cat scratch disease--an underestimated diagnosis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cat scratch disease is a rare and frequently underestimated cause of lymphadenopathy, which may occur also in the head and neck. The infection is most commonly caused by intracellular bacilli Bartonella, transmitted by domestic animals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We present a case report of a patient treated in the Department of Otolaryngology UJCM in Krakow. The patient presented with a neck tumor. Due to unclear clinical manifestation he underwent surgical treatment. The postoperative histopathological examination suggested cat scratch disease. In detailed anamnesis the patient admitted contact with cats and dogs in his household. No posoperative complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In every case of neck tumor it is advisable to consider cat scratch disease, remembering that exclusion of a neoplastic process remains a priority.
authors.affiliation: Katedra Klinika Otolaryngologii UJCM w Krakowie. asiat@uci.agh.edu.pl
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szaleniec
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oleś
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Składzień
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Strek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002372:Cat-Scratch Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004285:Dogs; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011044:Poland