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Cat-scratch disease simulating a malignant process of the chest wall
F Millot1, L Tailboux, M Paccalin
1Service d'Hématologie et Oncologie Médicale, CHU Jean Bernard, La Milétrie, Poitiers, France. hemato@chu.univ-poitiers.fr
European Journal of Pediatrics
|May 20, 1999
Summary
Cat-scratch disease can mimic cancer in children. Prompt antibiotic treatment, like ciprofloxacin, resolved symptoms and lesions in a boy with Bartonella infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
- Oncology
Background:
- Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a common cause of regional lymphadenopathy in children.
- Rarely, CSD can present with atypical symptoms that mimic neoplastic diseases, posing a diagnostic challenge.
Observation:
- A 12-year-old boy presented with fever, chest wall swelling, and hepatosplenic nodules, symptoms suggestive of malignancy.
- Histological examination of biopsy specimens revealed granulomatous inflammation, not malignant cells.
- Serological tests confirmed infection with Bartonella species.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms and lesions resolved completely following oral antibiotic therapy with ciprofloxacin.
- The boy remained symptom-free at a 12-month follow-up, indicating a favorable treatment outcome.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering CSD in the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients presenting with symptoms that simulate cancer.
- Early and accurate diagnosis of CSD is crucial for appropriate management and to avoid unnecessary aggressive treatments for suspected malignancies.
