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Localised gastrocnemius myositis in Crohn's disease
C Christopoulos1, S Savva, S Pylarinou
1"Amalia Fleming" General Hospital, 7 Vas Alexandrou Street, Kifissia, Athens 14561, Greece. chrada@ath.forthnet.gr
Clinical Rheumatology
|May 13, 2003
Summary
Gastrocnemius myalgia syndrome, characterized by calf pain, can be an early sign of Crohn's disease. This rare extraintestinal manifestation may precede other inflammatory bowel disease symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like Crohn's disease can present with various extraintestinal manifestations.
- Musculoskeletal symptoms are recognized but often overlooked as initial indicators of IBD.
Observation:
- A 19-year-old woman experienced calf pain, fever, and elevated neutrophils.
- Muscle biopsy revealed lymphocytic myositis, and she tested positive for c-ANCA without systemic vasculitis.
- Further investigation uncovered extensive Crohn's disease in her gastrointestinal tract.
Findings:
- The patient's myositis responded well to corticosteroid treatment.
- Literature review indicates calf pain in Crohn's disease can stem from myositis or vasculitis.
- This case highlights a potential link between calf pain and IBD.
Implications:
- The "gastrocnemius myalgia syndrome" may serve as a rare, early warning sign for inflammatory bowel disease.
- Clinicians should consider IBD in patients presenting with unexplained calf pain and inflammatory markers.
- Early recognition of such extraintestinal symptoms could lead to timely diagnosis and management of Crohn's disease.