[Diagnosis and treatment of streptococcal myositis]

Case 1: Following an influenza a 40-year-old patient was treated by intramuscular injections for backache. 24 hours later he was admitted to a hospital with massive pain in both lower extremities and a markedly reduced general condition. Case 2: Two days after a knee joint arthroscopy a 57-year-old man developed strong pain in the extremity treated by application of diclofenac. On the following day the patient was admitted to a university hospital in a septic state with a swollen, cold and blurry changed extremity.

The myoglobin concentration was dramatically increased in both cases (> 15 000 mg/l). CRP values were elevated. The progressive septic state with acute renal failure was verified by elevation of creatinine concentration and decrease of leukocyte values in the second case (from 10/nl to 2,5/nl) shortly after admission.

Both the patients died for septic shock. Case 1 died shortly after admission before surgical intervention. The second patient developed rapid progression of the myositis including the trunk despite radical surgical treatment (hip joint exarticulation).

In cases of sudden and painful swelling of an extremity of unknown origin or following intramuscular injection streptococcal myositis has to be taken into account. Only an immediate surgical intervention up to amputation of the affected extremity can stop the fatal course.