J Rheum Dis.  2017 Jun;24(3):161-164. 10.4078/jrd.2017.24.3.161.

A Case of Neutrophilic Myositis

• Lee KH
• Han KM
• Kim EJ

• KMID: 2385344
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2017.24.3.161

Abstract

Neutrophilic myositis is a very rare disease histologically characterized by neutrophil infiltration of muscle tissues. We report a case of a 47-year-old man who presented with acute onset of severe swelling and pain on his left shoulder with high fever. He was initially suspected of having cellulitis, but intravenous antibiotics did not improve his symptoms. Similar swelling and pain then developed on both calves. Investigations with magnetic resonance imaging of the lower legs and muscle biopsy led to a diagnosis of neutrophilic myositis. High dose glucocorticoid dramatically improved his symptoms within days. Clinicians need to be aware of this rare disease as a cause of acute febrile myositis mimicking infection.

Keyword

Myositis; Sweet syndrome; Neutrophil infiltration

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Biopsy
Cellulitis
Diagnosis
Fever
Humans
Leg
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Myositis*
Neutrophil Infiltration
Neutrophils*
Rare Diseases
Shoulder
Sweet Syndrome
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Figure

• 

  Figure 1. (A) T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of both calves reveals diffuse T2 high signal intensities on both gas-trocnemius muscles. (B) T1-weighted MRI with gadolinium enhancement shows heterogeneously enhanced lesions on both gas-trocnemius muscles.

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  Figure 2. (A) Destructive inflammation leading to saw-toothed architecture of the muscle bundles (muscle fiber necrosis). (H&E, original magnification ×100). (B) Inflammatory cells composed predominantly of neutrophils admixed with some lymphocytes and histiocytes, with occasional eosinophils. (H&E, original magnification ×400).

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