Related Experiment Videos
Parapharyngeal abscess due to cat-scratch disease
S H Yeh1, K M Zangwill, B Hall
1Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA. yeh@humc.edu
Insights
Cat-scratch disease (CSD) can cause deep head and neck infections, expanding its known illness spectrum. This case highlights CSD as a cause of parapharyngeal abscesses in children, previously unassociated with such infections.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is typically associated with cervical adenitis in children.
- The spectrum of CSD manifestations is continually expanding.
- Deep fascial space infections of the head and neck are not commonly linked to CSD.
Observation:
- This report details a pediatric case of extensive parapharyngeal adenitis and abscesses.
- The patient presented with symptoms indicative of a deep head and neck infection.
Findings:
- CSD was confirmed as the causative agent through histological and serological analyses.
- The findings establish a novel association between CSD and deep fascial space infections in the head and neck.
Implications:
- This case expands the differential diagnosis for pediatric deep neck infections.
- Clinicians should consider CSD in the evaluation of parapharyngeal abscesses, even without typical CSD exposure history.
- Further research may elucidate the mechanisms behind CSD-induced deep head and neck infections.
Abstract:
The spectrum of illness attributed to cat-scratch disease (CSD) continues to expand. Although a common cause of cervical adenitis in children, CSD has not been associated as a cause of deep fascial space infections of the head and neck. We describe a child with extensive parapharyngeal adenitis and abscesses due to CSD confirmed by histological and serological evaluations.