Cat-scratch disease simulating malignant lymphoma

A six-year-old girl with induration, swelling and discoloration of the lower eyelid, a temporal mass, preauricular adenopathy and enlarged parotid gland, underwent biopsy, She was initially diagnosed as having a malignant disorder of histiocytic origin. All lesions resolved without therapy. Further evaluation revealed that the child had oculoglandular cat-scratch disease. Cat-scratch disease should be added to the list of nonmalignant disorders which may simulate a malignant neoplasm in its clinical and histologic appearance. Recognition of this fact is important in order to avoid erroneous diagnosis, unnecessary procedures and hazardous therapy.