Bartonella henselae mediastinal lymphadenitis mimicking malignancy with critical airway compression in a child: a case report - Takeaways - MDSpire
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Mediastinal Lymphadenitis Due to Bartonella henselae in a Child: A Case of Airway Compression Resembling Cancer

  • By

  • Tong Lu

  • Sijuan Sun

  • Teng Teng

  • Jian Zhang

  • Qing Cao

  • Hong Ren

  • June 24, 2026

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  • 1

    Cat-scratch disease, caused by Bartonella henselae, typically presents with regional lymphadenopathy in children.

  • 2

    Mediastinal lymphadenitis from Bartonella henselae can mimic malignancy and cause significant airway compression.

  • 3

    A 6-year-old boy with cat-scratch disease exhibited severe bronchomalacia and 90% luminal narrowing of the bronchus.

  • 4

    Histopathology revealed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation, confirming the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease.

  • 5

    Treatment with doxycycline and rifampin resulted in rapid resolution of symptoms and airway compression.

Original Source(s)

Bartonella henselae mediastinal lymphadenitis mimicking malignancy with critical airway compression in a child: a case report

  • by Tong Lu, Sijuan Sun, Teng Teng, Jian Zhang, Qing Cao, Hong Ren

  • June 24, 2026

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