title: Recurrent pneumomediastinum in adult dermatomyositis.
abstract: A muscle biopsy established the diagnosis of dermatomyositis in a 22-year-old woman with normal muscle enzyme levels, 18 months after she presented with constitutional symptoms, a rash and polyarthritis. Her subsequent course was complicated by cutaneous ulcers with histological changes suggesting vasculitis, interstitial pulmonary involvement and recurrent pneumomediastinum, the latter being recently reported in 2 other cases of dermatomyositis. Cutaneous vasculitis has been present in all cases and it is suggested that the pneumomediastinum may be due to pulmonary vasculitis.
authors.affiliation: Austin Hospital, Rheumatology Unit, Heidelberg, Australia.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Cicuttini
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Fraser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D003520:Cyclophosphamide