Cat scratch disease with epidural extension while on antimicrobial treatment

We report the first case of a child with an epidural abscess caused by Bartonella henselae. This case is unique in that the diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the abscess fluid. A 3-year-old male was admitted with a 1-week history of fever and lower back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine revealed a paraspinal soft tissue abnormality extending from the T-12 to the L 4 level, and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the lumbar spine showed osteomyelitis at the T-12 level with soft tissue changes. B. henselae serology showed an IgG titer of 1: 256 and IgM of < 1:16. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel