[Cat-scratch disease localisation in the parotid gland].

INTRODUCTION

Cat scratch disease is an infection due to Bartonella henselae. It is one of the principal causes of benign chronic adenopathy in children or young adults.

CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old woman presented with a left parotid pre-auricular swelling suggesting a pleiomorphic adenoma. The history and complementary tests (ultra sonography, MRI, cytopuncture, B. henselae serology) led to a diagnosis of cat scratch disease. Doxycilline was efficient within 15 days.

DISCUSSION: The parotid localization of cat scratch disease is very rare. When a patient presents with parotid swelling, the distinction between a tumor and lymph node is not easy. Performing complementary tests can be in balance with a quicker but sometimes inappropriate surgical indication. The diagnosis is made even more difficult because of delayed specific serologic tests as for B. henselae.