Cat-Scratch Disease

Abstract

Cat-scratch disease has been reported with increasing frequency since its initial description in 1931. It is now recognized as being so prevalent that it probably represents the most common cause of unilateral lymphadenopathy in children, once nonspecific viral diseases and cutaneous infections have been excluded. The cardinal feature of the disease is a subacute regional granulomatous lymphadenitis. Because of its relatively mild natural course, most cases are treated on an outpatient basis. Forty-four children, representing the more seriously ill portion of the disease spectrum, were treated at Texas Children's Hospital from 1972 to 1984 and constitute the data base for this article. Most patients were symptomatic for nearly 1 month prior to admission, typically complaining of low-grade fever and regional lymphadenopathy. The two most common sites of lymph node involvement were the axilla (54%) and the neck (46%). Although there is, at this time, no specifically recommended treatment, 80% of patients received antibiotics and 70% underwent a surgical procedure—usually total nodal excision. Nodal excision was followed by rapid resolution of symptoms. Because cat-scratch disease is benign, surgery should be reserved for severe cases with signs of significant suppuration. Generally, symptomatic relief can be afforded by warm soaks and analgesics and recovery over the course of several weeks is uneventful.