Proliferative myositis presenting with a checkerboard-like pattern on CT

Area of Science:

• Musculoskeletal Imaging
• Pathology
• Radiology

Background:

• Proliferative myositis is a rare, benign inflammatory condition that can mimic malignancy.
• Accurate radiological diagnosis is crucial for appropriate clinical management and avoiding unnecessary surgical interventions.

Observation:

• This case report details the imaging findings of proliferative myositis using ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Malignancy was initially suspected, leading to surgical excision.

Findings:

• A characteristic checkerboard-like pattern, typically seen in sonography and pathology, was identified on CT imaging.
• This represents the first reported case demonstrating this specific CT finding in proliferative myositis.

Implications:

• CT imaging, particularly the checkerboard pattern, can aid in the non-invasive diagnosis of proliferative myositis.
• Improved radiological characterization can prevent misdiagnosis and guide conservative management, avoiding aggressive surgical treatment for this benign condition.