Abstract

Focal myositis (FM) is an inflammatory muscle disease of unknown cause. It can simulate sural thrombophlebitis if it affects the lower limb. We report the case of a 15-year-old child with complete post-traumatic quadriplegia who developed edema of the left leg with a tense calf, slight redness and an increase in local heat. A CT angiography of the lower limbs excluded deep vein thrombosis and showed a myositis of the posterior compartment of the left leg. The patient was put on an anti-inflammatory drug with complete disappearance of the edema after seven days. In this reported case, we highlight the role of CT in the diagnosis and follow-up of FM as it’s cheaper and more accessible than MRI. The outcome is often favorable with spontaneous resolution or under anti-inflammatory treatment after a few weeks.

Key words: spinal cord injury; tetraplegia; focal myositis; lower limb; computed tomography