[Cat scratch disease--an underestimated diagnosis].
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.
Szaleniec
Joanna
J
Katedra Klinika Otolaryngologii UJCM w Krakowie. asiat@uci.agh.edu.pl
Oleś
Krzysztof
K
Składzień
Jacek
J
Strek
Pawel
P
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