Cat-scratch disease and bone scintigraphy

Clin Nucl Med. 2012 Aug;37(8):772-4. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0b013e31824d252f.

Abstract

Cat-scratch disease is a bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae. Bone involvement is rare. We describe the case of a 7-year-old boy with a systemic form of the disease. He presented with a 15-day history of fever, altered general condition, weight loss and cough, associated with back pain, and right-sided coxalgia. Bone scintigraphy with Tc-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate showed spinal involvement, the iliac crest, the right ankle, and the right first metatarsal. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed these locations. He was positive for anti-Bartonella henselae. The fever regressed before treatment with rifampicin began, and he made a full recovery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone and Bones / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cat-Scratch Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cats
  • Child
  • Gadolinium / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate / analogs & derivatives
  • Whole-Body Irradiation

Substances

  • technetium Tc 99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate
  • Gadolinium
  • Technetium Tc 99m Medronate