Focal Myositis in paediatric age

Abstract

Background: Focal Myositis is a rare pseudotumor of unknown aetiology that is often difficult to diagnose and treat. Typically afflicting people in adulthood, it has occasionally been reported also among children. Purpose: the aim of this study is to review the literature of Focal Myositis in paediatric age in order to compare the clinical manifestation and the various treatment suggested by different authors. Methods: this article describes a 6-year-old boy with focal myositis in gracilis muscle successfully treated by conservative methods, including nocturnal leg traction, intensive physiokinesi therapy and articulated knee orthosis guided to progressive extension. Furthermore a systematic review of literature concerning focal myositis in paediatric age is reported. Conclusion: our case and the review of literature suggests that conservative methods should be the first-choice treatment for FM in paediatric age and that surgery should be strictly reserved for selected cases where non-invasive methods have previously failed.

Case report

“…If the motion of the adjacent joint is limited, surgical therapy may be an alternative especially in the case of unclear diagnosis. [ 13 ] Gigante et al [ 14 ] also suggested that conservative methods including medications should be the first choice for FM in pediatric age and that surgery should be strictly reserved for selected cases where noninvasive methods have previously failed. Snell and Dowd [ 15 ] reported a case of recurrent FM presenting as flexion contractures of the fingers which had an over 3-year course.…”