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Polyarteritis nodosa presenting with clinical and radiologic features suggestive of polymyositis

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Abstract

We report a patient who presented with clinical and MRI findings suggestive of polymyositis but, in whom, muscle biopsy disclosed a strikingly different diagnosis. A 65-year-old woman presented with 3-week history of bilateral proximal muscle pain and weakness. Laboratory investigations showed markedly elevated inflammatory markers and mildly elevated muscle enzymes. MRI scans of lower limbs showed features suggestive of polymyositis. However, muscle biopsy showed features of a polyarteritis-type vasculitis affecting an intramuscular blood vessel. Our reports highlight the critical role of muscle biopsy in establishing the correct diagnosis in patients with suspected myositis.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland

    Muhammad Haroon & Sinead Harney

  2. Department of Neuropathology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland

    Niamh Bermingham & Catherine Keohane

Authors
  1. Muhammad Haroon
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  2. Niamh Bermingham
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  3. Catherine Keohane
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  4. Sinead Harney
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Correspondence to Muhammad Haroon.

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Haroon, M., Bermingham, N., Keohane, C. et al. Polyarteritis nodosa presenting with clinical and radiologic features suggestive of polymyositis. Rheumatol Int 32, 1079–1081 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-011-1828-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-011-1828-8

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