Myonecrosis induced by drug overdose: pathogenesis, clinical aspects and radiological manifestations

The authors report five cases of myonecrosis varying in degree of severity and extent of the lesions, following drug overdose in young patients. The pathogenesis of this condition is discussed with reference both to the literature and the radiological findings of the present study. The clinical and radiological manifestations are described and a possible differential diagnosis is suggested, based on these data. Semeiologic data obtained by ultrasound and computerized tomography was found to give the most accurate information concerning the morphological characteristics of myonecrosis while ultrasound can reveal the extent of the involvement in the limbs.