Acute gastrocnemius myositis. Another extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE

To present the first case in Australia of skeletal muscle inflammation as a manifestation of Crohn's disease.

CLINICAL FEATURES: A 50-year-old man was admitted to hospital with a two-week history of bloody diarrhoea, weight loss of 3 kg, soreness of his calf and thigh muscles, and night sweats. A clinical diagnosis of acute Crohn's gastrocnemius myositis was made. Muscle biopsy was not performed.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: He was prescribed hydrocortisone by the intravenous route, which was replaced by prednisone by mouth. The myositis resolved completely within 48 hours.

CONCLUSION

Corticosteroids are an effective treatment for this rare extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease. Invasive investigations can be reserved for those who fail to respond.