Spectrum of radiological manifestations of paediatric cat-scratch disease

Aaron Rohr1, Megan R Saettele, Suchit A Patel

  • 1University of Kansas School of Medicine, 3550 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66103, USA. arohr@kumc.edu

Pediatric Radiology
|July 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) presents varied symptoms that can mimic other conditions. This review highlights key imaging findings for diagnosing CSD, particularly in children and adolescents exposed to cats.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Radiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a common zoonotic illness, typically self-limiting.
  • It often affects children and adolescents following feline contact (scratches or bites).
  • CSD can present with diverse clinical and imaging findings, sometimes mimicking more severe pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the wide range of radiologic manifestations of Cat-scratch disease.
  • To emphasize key imaging findings associated with CSD for accurate diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature and case studies on Cat-scratch disease.
  • Analysis of imaging findings across various affected organ systems.

Main Results:

  • CSD commonly manifests as lymphadenopathy.
  • Radiologic findings can include hepatosplenic lesions, osteomyelitis, discitis, encephalitis, neuroretinitis, and cranial neuritis.
  • Imaging is crucial for identifying the spectrum of CSD presentations.

Conclusions:

  • Recognizing the diverse radiologic features of CSD is essential for differentiating it from other serious conditions.
  • Prompt diagnosis based on imaging can guide appropriate patient management.
  • Understanding the imaging spectrum aids clinicians in diagnosing CSD in at-risk populations.

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:19

Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories: