Epidemic Myalgia Presenting as Cervical Pain: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Neurology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Epidemic myalgia, also known as Bornholm disease, is a viral illness typically characterized by sudden onset of chest or abdominal pain.
• While commonly associated with thoracic or abdominal symptoms, atypical presentations can occur.

Observation:

• A 53-year-old female presented with cervical and abdominal pain, fever, and upper respiratory symptoms.
• Physical examination revealed severe tenderness in the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, and the umbilical region.
• Posterior neck pain worsened in the supine position and during positional changes.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with epidemic myalgia.
• The clinical presentation was identified as a cervical variant of the disease.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of epidemic myalgia's clinical spectrum.
• Recognizing the cervical variant is crucial for accurate diagnosis and timely management of patients presenting with neck pain and systemic symptoms.