Authors : C. Sobajo , W.S. Khan and D.H. Sochart
Abstract: A patient with a painful swollen leg is a common clinical presentation. We present a case of a 46 year old patient, with a past medical history of deep vein thrombosis and hypercholesterolaemia, who was referred to hospital for investigation of a one day history of sudden onset of leg pain. The patient presented with unilateral calf tenderness and swelling that was initially thought to be due to a deep vein thrombosis and later cellulitis and compartment syndrome, but was found to be due to statin-induced myositis when a magnetic resonance imaging scan of the patient�s leg showed areas of inflammed muscle. The patient was then taken off the cholesterol-lowering statin and prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication which caused her symptoms to improve. This case shows how myositis may be mistakenly diagnosed as deep vein thrombosis, cellulitis or compartment syndrome, resulting in an important delay in treatment. A patient presenting with a painful swollen leg is a diagnostic dilemma with many differential diagnoses and a methodical approach must be taken to avoid the severe implications of misdiagnosis.
C. Sobajo , W.S. Khan and D.H. Sochart , 2007. A Diagnostic Dilemma: A Patient Presenting with a Painful Swollen Leg Due to Statin-Induced Myositis. The Cardiology, 3: 24-26.