Cat scratch disease: an unusual cause of acute parotid pain (a case report with a literature review).

CSD is a well recognised cause of cervical lymphadenopathy, and parotid involvement occurs in 3 per cent of cases. Parotid lymphadenopathy is usually asymptomatic or tender but acute parotid pain treated successfully by surgery is previously undescribed. In our case excision of the primary lesion with parotid biopsy provided an immediate diagnosis and decompression of the parotid capsule resulted in dramatic relief of the patient's pain. We would therefore recommend that, in all cases of obscure cervical lymphadenopathy, CSD should be considered and a documentation of domestic pets actively sought. We would also advise that in those cases of parotid CSD in which either the diagnosis is equivocal, CS antigen is unavailable or intense parotid pain is a predominant feature, excision of the primary lesion together with surgical decompression of the parotid capsule should be performed.