Clinical quiz: a pediatric case presenting with fever and diffuse myalgia

Rheumatol Int. 2005 May;25(4):314-6. doi: 10.1007/s00296-004-0530-5. Epub 2004 Nov 10.

Abstract

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a multisystem disease characterized by recurrent polyserositis episodes seen in certain ethnic groups. In recent years the clinical picture of FMF has been expanded and severe myalgia is a frequently recognized component of the syndrome. Protracted febrile myalgia syndrome (PFMS), characterized by severe paralyzing myalgia, high fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, arthritis/arthralgia, and transient vasculitic rashes mimicking Henoch-Schonlein purpura, was first described in patients with FMF in 1994. We describe an 11-year-old Turkish girl with a second attack of PFMS before being diagnosed as having FMF, emphasizing the importance of myalgia for the diagnosis of FMF even in the absence of other symptoms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / complications
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / diagnosis*
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Muscular Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Muscular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Muscular Diseases / etiology
  • Pain / diagnosis*
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / etiology
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Prednisolone