title: Spontaneous abdominal hematoma in dermatomyositis.
abstract: Dermatomyositis is associated with a number of systemic manifestations and diseases. We present 2 patients with dermatomyositis, aged 11 and 50 years, who developed acute abdominal pain, both a result of spontaneous hemorrhage. Hemorrhage was detectable by physical examination in one and on computed tomography scan of the abdomen in the other. Both patients made a full recovery with supportive treatment. While the cause of the hemorrhage was uncertain, in 1 patient massive calcinosis of the abdominal wall was present, and trauma may have been the precipitant. Spontaneous abdominal hematoma is a cause of acute abdominal pain in patients with dermatomyositis, and surgery may be avoided if the diagnosis is recognized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York 14642, USA.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Orrell
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Cass
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Griggs
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed