Benign Acute Childhood Myositis - A Great Mimicker

Benign acute childhood myositis is a transient, self-limiting inflammation of muscles, particularly gastrocnemius and soleus following a viral respiratory infection in children; as the name suggests its benign in nature; symptoms usually resolve within 5-7 days. There is characteristically bilateral calf muscle pain which leads to gait abnormalities in the children with near normal neurological examination. Occasionally it can lead to serious complications like rhabdomyolysis and renal failure; hence crucial monitoring of the affected children is mandatory. Here we are presenting two such cases managed successfully in our centre.