[Acute transient myositis after influenza]

The clinical picture, biological findings and outcome of acute myositis during recovery from influenza are so characteristic that can clearly cut-off it from other diseases affecting the muscles. Five cases of acute bilateral lower-limb myositis are described. A flu-like illness had begun to wane before the onset of severe leg pain, preventing the children from walking. All had abnormal serum CPK and SGOT levels. Virological studies were performed with negative findings. The pathogenic mechanism is unknown. We though that more aggressive studies are not justified in view of the transient nature of the patient's illness and their complete recovery. We stress the need of recognizing such disease in every child complaining of lower leg pain associated with very painful walking into a epidemiological setting of a "influenza-like" illness. We also have reviewed the published bibliography is considered.