Sudden myositis of the posterior cervical muscular compartment. Case report

Abstract

An atypical case of deep neck infection is presented with muscular involvement as the main feature. Streptococcus pyogenes was the causal agent and abrupt haemodynamic impairment and severe systemic failure characterized its clinical course, requiring emergency surgical examination and subsequent admission to the critical care unit. After the diagnosis of streptococcal myositis was obtained and the antibiotic treatment adjusted, the patient progressively recovered completely.