Bedside ultrasound for the detection of diabetic myonecrosis

Abstract

Diabetic myonecrosis is an uncommon complication of diabetes mellitus. There are fewer than 50 cases reported in the general medical literature. Patients classically complain of the abrupt onset of diffuse anterior thigh pain with no signs of overlying infection or signs of systemic toxicity.Because of the difficulty in diagnosis, most patients endure multiple medical visits until appropriate imaging modalities are obtained. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or tissue biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosis. This is the first case reported in the literature of diabetic myonecrosis detected in the ED by bedside ultrasound. We hope that with the continued use of bedside ultrasound, more physicians will be able to determine abnormal tissue architecture allowing for the early detection of diabetic myonecrosis.