title: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum secondary to refractory dermatomyositis successfully treated with rituximab.
abstract: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum has been described in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (Korkmaz et al., Rheumatology 40:476-478, 2001; Maruoka et al., Mod Rheumatol 16:55-57, 2006; Kono et al., Ann Rheum Dis 59:372-376, 2000; Neves et al., Clin Rheumatol 26:105-107, 2007). Literature reviews suggest that this complication has a mortality of between 27% and 41% ( Kono et al., Ann Rheum Dis 59:372-376, 2000; Neves et al., Clin Rheumatol 26:105-107, 2007; Goff et al., Arthritis Rheum 61:108-118, 2009). This is the first report of rituximab being used successfully as part of the treatment for DM complicated by pneumomediastinum.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Department, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Exeter, Devon, UK. martinlee@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Martin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab