Radiologic Findings in Gabapentin-Induced Myositis

J Radiol Case Rep. 2017 Apr 30;11(4):30-37. doi: 10.3941/jrcr.v11i4.3092. eCollection 2017 Apr.

Abstract

Throughout recent years, Gabapentin has become increasingly used for the treatment of neuropathic pain. We report on a case of a 31 year old female who presented to the emergency department with unilateral leg pain, weakness, and swelling after increasingly titrating her Gabapentin dosage over three weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of myositis confined to the left thigh and the patient's symptoms and laboratory abnormalities resolved following Gabapentin cessation. While Gabapentin-induced myositis and rhabdomyolysis is a rare entity, it should be a diagnostic consideration for radiologists, particularly in the absence of infection or trauma.

Keywords: CT; Case Report; Computed Tomography; Drug-Induced; Gabapentin; MRI; MSK; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Musculoskeletal; Myopathy; Myositis; Rhabdomyolysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amines / adverse effects*
  • Analgesics / adverse effects*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Contrast Media
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / adverse effects*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Gabapentin
  • Humans
  • Leg
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Myositis / chemically induced*
  • Myositis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neuralgia / drug therapy*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Amines
  • Analgesics
  • Biomarkers
  • Contrast Media
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin