Abstract
Introduction: Myositis is an inflammation of striated muscle tissue. Among its causes, autoimmune diseases are the main ones. However, infectious causes are also incriminated, such as Coxsackie B virus epidemic myositis. Treponemal myositis or syphilitic myositis is, however, exceptional. Its localization or predominance on the facial muscles is even rarer. Case Presentation: We report a case of a facial form of syphilitic myositis with clinical and radiological study in a 25-year-old patient of Malian origin, presented to the neurology department with a painful facial diplegia that had been evolving for one month. Infectious myositis is a rare entity. Its symptomatology (myalgia/muscle weakness) may be diffuse or localized, as in the case of our patient. The infectious syndrome may be absent and limited to a flu-like syndrome. Furthermore, direct involvement of a skeletal muscle is rarely reported in the literature. The evolutionary profile is, therefore, little known. Conclusions: Syphilitic myositis can have complex clinical aspects and constitute a real diagnostic challenge, as reported in our patient's case.