Korean J Fam Med.
2018 Nov;39(6):375-378. 10.4082/kjfm.17.0113.
Benign Acute Childhood Myositis: Perplexing Complication after Acute Viral Pharyngitis
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea. gaelongs@gmail.com
- 2Department of Pediatrics and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea.
- KMID: 2426832
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.17.0113
Abstract
- Benign acute childhood myositis (BACM) is a rare transient condition that occurs in children during the early convalescent phase of a viral upper respiratory infection. BACM is self-limiting and characterized by sudden-onset bilateral calf pain that leads to difficulty in walking. We report a case of a 5-year-old boy with BACM who presented with acute-onset bilateral calf pain after a resolved episode of viral pharyngitis and subsequently refused to walk. With conservative treatment, the patient recovered completely after approximately 1 week. Although perplexing and challenging for clinicians unfamiliar with BACM, awareness of this rare clinical condition is essential to preventing unnecessary investigations and reassuring the patient and parents of its excellent prognosis.
