Acute dermatomyositis associated with generalized subcutaneous edema.
Generalized subcutaneous edema is an uncommon manifestation of inflammatory myopathy. We report a 48-year-old female patient who presented with severe generalized edema, an erythematous skin rash, dysphagia and proximal muscle weakness. She was diagnosed with dermatomyositis from the clinical signs, increased muscle enzymes, electromyographic findings and a muscle biopsy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed increased signal intensity in the muscular and subcutaneous layers. The conditions causing generalized edema were excluded. It was concluded that the generalized edema was secondary to dermatomyositis. Aggressive treatments with high-dose glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents were used to control the severe subcutaneous edema.
Lee
Ki-Hong
KH
Department of Rheumatology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Dong-Ku, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Lim
Sung-Ryoun
SR
Kim
Yeon-Joo
YJ
Lee
Kyung-Ju
KJ
Myung
Dae-Seong
DS
Jeong
Hae-Chang
HC
Yoon
Woong
W
Lee
Shin-Seok
SS
Park
Yong-Wook
YW
D000208:Acute Disease; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004487:Edema / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography