Isolated Infraspinatus Myositis after Intramuscular Vaccine Administration

A 74-year-old female developed left shoulder pain after receiving an influenza vaccine. Her initial physical exam was suggestive of subacromial bursitis, and a corticosteroid injection into the subacromial space resulted in a 50% improvement in her pain. Subsequent MRI demonstrated myositis isolated to the infraspinatus muscle. She was successfully treated with anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy.

Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) is a rare clinical complication, and myositis in the rotator cuff musculature has not been previously reported. Proper administration of intramuscular vaccinations should be emphasized to prevent injury to structures surrounding the shoulder joint.