Diabetic muscle infarction: Radiologic evaluation

D. P. Chason, J. L. Fleckenstein, D. K. Burns, G. Rojas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective. Diabetic muscle infarction (DMI) is frequently misdiagnosed clinically as abscess, neoplasm, or myositis, and is often biopsied. Clinical and radiologic findings are presented here to enable the radiologist to suggest the correct diagnosis. Design and patients. Four patients with severe diabetes mellitus presenting with acute thigh pain: tenderness, and swelling were evaluated by imaging techniques and biopsy. Results and conclusions. Edema in the affected muscles was seen in two patients with MRI studies. Femoral artery calcification and mild muscle swelling was present in one patient who underwent CT. Decreased echogenicity was seen in the involved muscle in a patient studied with ultrasound. Serum enzymes were normal or mildly elevated in three patients (not reported in one). Biopsy demonstrated necrosis and regenerative change in all cases. MRI, although nonspecific, is the best imaging technique to suggest the diagnosis of DMI in the appropriate clinical setting, thereby obviating biopsy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)127-132
Number of pages6
JournalSkeletal Radiology
Volume25
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 1996

Keywords

  • Computed tomography
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Infarction
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Ultrasound

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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