Ultrasonographic analysis of cat-scratch disease associated lymphadenitis of the elbow / 中国医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the ultrasonographic features of lymphadenitis caused by cat-scratch disease (CSD) of the elbow, and to improve the diagnosis and differentiation of CSD by sonologist.Methods:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we retrospectively collected the patients who visited Changsha Third Hospital from March 2015 to October 2021 due to elbow mass, and divided them into CSD group and non CSD group according to the pathological source. We compared and analyzed the ultrasonic manifestations inside and around the mass in the two groups, and summarized the ultrasonic image characteristics of CSD.Results:In 90 cases of elbow mass, there were 14 cases in CSD group and 76 cases in non CSD group. There were 8 cases of cat scratch history and 2 cases of bite history in CSD group. The incubation period ranged from 4 days to 3 months. There were 4 cases of denied cat scratch and bite history or close contact history. Eight patients were treated with antibiotics, and 6 patients did not receive any treatment. 14 patients with CSD were followed up after 1-3 months. There was statistically significant difference between CSD group and non CSD group in tumor location (χ 2=14.507, P<0.05), the masses in CSD group were all located in the medial elbow; The specificity of internal ultrasound in CSD lymphadenitis was not high, but the ultrasonic changes outside the mass had certain characteristics, such as lymphadenitis and localized superficial phlebitis. There was also a statistical difference between CSD group and non CSD group in the ultrasonic changes outside the mass (χ 2=34.070, P<0.05). Conclusions:CSD lymphadenitis usually occurs in the medial epitrochlear region of the elbow. Ultrasound can be highly suggestive when there is a relevant epidemiological history and typical intra and extra-nodal sonographic changes, thus reducing the unnecessary invasive manipulation of the elbow mass.