title: Complete resolution of dermatomyositis with refractory cutaneous vasculitis by intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy.
abstract: Cutaneous ulcers associated with vasculitis are rarely reported in adult-onset dermatomyositis (DM), and are often resistant to treatment, resulting in a poor prognosis. There is no general treatment strategy and the effects of various treatments have never been confirmed histopathologically. A 43-year old man with DM developed refractory multiple cutaneous ulcers which were revealed as vasculitis by skin biopsy. Repeated intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy (IV-CY) without high-dose corticosteroid therapy resulted in complete resolution of the ulcers without adverse effects or severe complications. A repeat biopsy confirmed complete remission of vasculitis. Repeated IV-CY is a useful treatment for induction of clinical remission of DM with cutaneous vasculitis.
authors.affiliation: The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Kitakyushu.
authors.forename: Shizuyo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsujimura
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Yoshiya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug; D012074:Remission Induction; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003520:Cyclophosphamide