Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Thoracic vertebral osteomyelitis with paraspinous mass and intraspinal extension: An atypical presentation of cat-scratch disease

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

Children with cat-scratch disease (CSD) commonly present with fever and tender lymphadenopathy. The disease is mild and manifestations of infection resolve spontaneously within several weeks. However, some children with CSD have unusual features that present diagnostic challenges. Children with atypical CSD may present with prolonged fever, hepatosplenic disease or ocular disease. We performed an MRI on a child who presented with persistent back pain. The MRI demonstrated a paravertebral mass with intraspinous extension and the collapse of T7 vertebral body. A biopsy was reported to show a small round blue cell tumor. An evaluation for malignancy was negative, but Bartonella henselae DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction on the biopsy specimen. We present this case because it is a rare but important radiological presentation of CSD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

References

  1. Florin TA, Zaoutis TE, Zaoutis LB (2008) Beyond cat scratch disease: widening spectrum of Bartonella henselae infection. Pediatrics 121:e1413–e1425

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. American Academy of Pediatrics (2006) Cat-scratch disease. In: Pickering LK, Baker CJ, Long SS et al. (eds) Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Disease, 27th edn. Elk Grove Village, IL, pp 246–248

  3. Tasher D, Armarnik E, Mizrahi A et al (2009) Cat scratch disease with cervical vertebral osteomyelitis and spinal epidural abscess. Ped Infect Dis J 28:848–850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Hospach T, Langendoerfer M, von Kalle T et al (2010) Spinal involvement in chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) in childhood and effect of pamidronate. Eur J Pediatr 169:1105–1111

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Carithers HA (1985) Cat-scratch disease. An overview based on a study of 1,200 patients. Am J Dis Child 139:1124–1133

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Margileth AM (1993) Cat scratch disease. Adv Pediatr Infect Dis 8:1–21

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hajjaji N, Hocqueloux L, Kerdraon R et al (2007) Bone infection in cat-scratch disease: a review of the literature. J Infect 54:417–421

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The Caterpillar Foundation in Peoria has donated money to the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria and a ‘directorship’ has been established. Stephen D. Smith currently hold the position as the ‘Jim and Katie Owens Director in Pediatric Oncology.

Conflict of Interests

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, 530 NE Glen Oak Ave., Peoria, IL, 61637, USA

    Mohamad M. Al-Rahawan, Barry M. Gray & Stephen D. Smith

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, Peoria, IL, USA

    Craig S. Mitchell

Authors
  1. Mohamad M. Al-Rahawan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Barry M. Gray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Craig S. Mitchell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Stephen D. Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen D. Smith.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Al-Rahawan, M.M., Gray, B.M., Mitchell, C.S. et al. Thoracic vertebral osteomyelitis with paraspinous mass and intraspinal extension: An atypical presentation of cat-scratch disease. Pediatr Radiol 42, 116–119 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-011-2087-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-011-2087-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation