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Acute hemiplegia associated with cat-scratch disease
J L Rocha1, L N Pellegrino, L V Riella
1Department of Infectious Disease, Nossa Senhora das Graças Hospital, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. jaimeluis@b.com.br
Summary
Cat scratch disease (CSD) can cause rare neurological complications like hemiplegia. Prompt diagnosis and corticosteroid treatment led to full recovery in an 11-year-old boy.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an infection caused by Bartonella henselae.
- It typically presents with skin lesions and lymphadenopathy.
- Atypical presentations, including neurological complications, are rare.
Observation:
- An 11-year-old boy presented with posterior cervical lymphadenopathy and fever.
- CSD was diagnosed via lymph node biopsy with a positive Whartin-Starry stain.
- Two weeks post-treatment, he developed acute left hemiplegia.
Findings:
- Brain MRI revealed a right subcortical fronto-parietal lesion.
- The lesion showed no contrast enhancement.
- The patient experienced a complete recovery after corticosteroid treatment.
Implications:
- This case highlights hemiplegia as a rare neurological manifestation of CSD.
- It underscores the importance of considering CSD in pediatric neurological emergencies.
- Corticosteroid therapy may be effective for treating CSD-associated hemiplegia.