A tropical disease steals out of its zone. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. A tropical disease steals out of its zone.
Typical presentation is asymmetric swelling of an isolated muscle, with exquisite pain and fever.
Results of laboratory studies are usually nonspecific, but magnetic resonance imaging of the affected area suggests the diagnosis. Muscle biopsy and direct identification of the pathogen on tissue culture are required, because the list of potential pathogens is long. With prompt treatment, most patients achieve complete resolution and return to their preinfection level of health. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1996.