The Role of MRI in Diagnosis of Diabetic Muscle Infarction : an Underdiagnosed Entity

authors:

avatar Pranjal Goswami 1 , * , avatar Manash P Baruah 2

Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Insight Diagnostic Pvt. LTD, Guwahati, goswamipranjal@yahoo.co.in, India
Department of Endocrinology, Excel Centre, Guwahati, India
International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism: Vol.9, issue 2; 353-355
article type: Case Report
received: January 13, 2011
accepted: February 20, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5812/kowsar.1726913X.1886

how to cite: Goswami P, Baruah M. The Role of MRI in Diagnosis of Diabetic Muscle Infarction : an Underdiagnosed Entity. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2011;9(2): 353-355. https://doi.org/10.5812/kowsar.1726913X.1886.

Abstract

 Muscle infarction is an uncommon complication of long-standing diabetes mellitus. Here, we report the case of a 62-year-old diabetic male patient with acute pain and swelling of the right thigh with signs of mild inflammation but no evidence of infection or myopathy. Initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed diffuse swelling and edema of quadriceps muscles with blurred margins. The clinical symptoms showed significant improvement after 1 month of symptomatic treatment. Follow-up MRI performed after 3 months showed remarkable improvement in inflammatory changes with mild residual swelling and edema of the vastus lateralis muscle. In the absence of any systemic signs of infection and laboratory diagnostic markers, the detection of typical features such as hyperintense signal on T2 weighted images or hypo- to isointense signals on T1 weighted images, without localized fluid collection, remains the most useful investigative tool for diagnosing diabetic muscle infarction and obviates the need for invasive procedures like muscle biopsy. Diabetic muscle infarction is a rare complication with distinct clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and MRI features, and can be resolved over a period only by administering adequate supportive treatment. Clinicians should be aware of this complication and always consider it in the differential diagnosis of diabetic patients presenting with acute onset of pain and swelling of the extremities.

 

  • Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
    No direct relation for health policy. Knowledge about the role of MRI in the management of this complication of diabetes will help the Physicians and unnecessary surgical interventions may be avoided. There is scope for research on drugs which can prevent and treat this complication.
  • Please cite this paper as:
    Goswami P, Baruah MP. The Role of MRI in Diagnosis of Diabetic Muscle Infarction : an Underdiagnosed Entity. Int J Endocrinol Metab.2011;9(2):353-5.
  •  DOI: 5812/kowsar.1726913X.1886

Copyright© 2011 Kowsar M.P.Co. All rights reserved.

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