Multifocal Bone Marrow Involvement in Cat-Scratch Disease

Abstract

We describe 2 children with prolonged fever of unknown origin and prominent skeletal pain who had multifocal bone disease caused by Bartonella infection. Initial radiologic studies, including plain films, radionuclide scintigraphy and computed tomography, yielded negative results. In both cases, magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple enhancing bone marrow lesions consistent with clinical symptoms. Microbiologic diagnoses were established serologically.