Patterns of calcification in childhood dermatomyositis.
The radiographs of 40 patients with childhood dermatomyositis, an uncommon inflammatory disease, were reviewed. Four distinct patterns of calcification were identified: deep calcareal masses, superficial calcareal masses, deep linear deposits, and a lacy, reticular, subcutaneous deposition of calcium encasing the torso (not emphasized in recent literature). This linear reticular pattern of calcification was associated with a severe unremitting clinical course. Soft-tissue calcification was identified in 40% of cases, a lower incidence than previously reported. No patient in this series had acroosteolysis or pulmonary parenchymal disease, radiographic findings more commonly associated with childhood scleroderma.
D000293:Adolescent; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography