Abstract

Inflammatory myopathies are very rare clinical conditions because the muscles are resistant to the infection. Bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral etiological agents are among the reasons. Benign myositis, Pleuritis, and rhabdomyolysis in addition to common muscle involvement can be seen in myositis due to viral agents. Diagnosis is based on and etiological agents identified by using mic-robiological or serological methods.

A 34-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with complaints of tetraparesis predominantly in the proximal muscles. Bilateral heliotropic edema was also observed. The level of creatine phosphokinase was (CK) 1150 IU / l. Electromyography findings supported primary muscle disease. Approximately 15-20 days before the onset of the complaints, the patient described viral infection in the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with viral myositis and treated with IVP methylprednisolone. Because neurological status was improved the patient was discharged with oral maintenance treatment. After two months, the patient's neurodeficitis improved and CK levels were within normal limits.

It should be kept in mind that patients with viral myositis may present with a clinical picture mimicking dermatomyositis. However, viral myopathies are very rare conditions.