Cat-scratch disease mimicking soft tissue sarcoma in a pediatric patient

Cat scratch disease, first described in France in the 1930s, is a benign infectious disease with often atypical presentation. Its clinical symptoms and radiologic features can overlap with those of a sarcoma. Here we present the case of a 12-year-old female with cat-scratch disease that was initially misdiagnosed as a soft tissue sarcoma of the elbow. The patient was then successfully treated with an antibiotic course. Our case emphasizes the importance of early consultation by a specialized multidisciplinary team given the lack of specificity and overlap of presentation among benign and malignant masses.