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Neck abscess secondary to cat-scratch disease.
Robert L Dean1, John F Eisenbeis
1Department of Otolaryngology, St. Louis (Mo.) University Hospital, USA. rldeano@yahoo.com
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal
|January 5, 2005
Summary
A pediatric neck mass initially suspected as lymphadenitis was treated with antibiotics without success. Further evaluation revealed the enlarging mass was actually cat-scratch disease in a 7-year-old boy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Enlarging neck masses in children often present diagnostic challenges.
- Initial treatment for suspected bacterial infections may not always be effective.
Observation:
- A 7-year-old boy presented with a progressively enlarging neck mass.
- The mass was initially presumed to be lymphadenitis and treated with antibiotics for 4 weeks.
- The mass failed to resolve and became fluctuant.
Findings:
- Diagnostic workup at a specialized institution led to the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease.
- Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is an infectious disease caused by Bartonella henselae.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering atypical causes of pediatric lymphadenopathy.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis of cat-scratch disease is crucial for appropriate management.
- Differential diagnosis for pediatric neck masses should include infectious etiologies beyond common bacterial infections.