CAT SCRATCH DISEASE IMITATING A TOXOCARA GRANULOMA OF THE OPTIC DISK.

PURPOSE: The study reports an unusual presentation of a young female patient presenting with a granulomatous posterior pole mass and profound vision loss secondary to infection with Bartonella henselae.

METHODS

A single case report in a child.

RESULTS

An 8-year-old female presented with a recent history of flu-like illness associated with profound vision loss, panuveitis and leukocoria in the left eye. She was found to have a posterior granulomatous mass associated with an exudative retinal detachment presumed as a toxocara granuloma. Magnetic Resonance Imaging ruled out retinoblastoma. Lab work done was negative for toxocariasis and positive for Bartonella henselae titers. She was treated for Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) with steroids and azithromycin. With treatment, the inflammation and exudative retinal detachment resolved, however, the patient had no improvement in visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

Young patients presenting with leukocoria need a full work up, which includes ruling out retinoblastoma. CSD can present as a granulomatous mass similar to toxocariasis, which can rarely lead to debilitating and irreversible vision loss.