Oral manifestations as important symptoms for juvenile dermatomyositis early diagnosis: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy of childhood and adolescence, characterized by symmetrical weakness of proximal muscles and classical cutaneous features. Literature reports rarely describe or focus on oral lesions that are associated with this disease.


METHODS
This case describes a 4-year-old girl in whom the oral lesions were the initial manifestations of JDM. Physical examination revealed characteristic skin manifestations, proximal muscle weakness, extensive calcinosis, necrotic ulceration, complicated erysipelas, and diffuse alopecia. The diagnosis was established based on the clinical, histological, electroneuromyography, and biochemical findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Recognition of gingival telangiectases as an important diagnostic marker of JDM leads us to suggest that identifying oral manifestations, which may be carried out by a paediatric dentist, contributes in establishing an early diagnosis and an immediate treatment of this condition.
Gonçalves
Letícia Machado
LM
Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil. lets.mg@gmail.com
Bezerra-Júnior
José Ribamar Sabino
JR
Gordón-Núñez
Manuel Antonio
MA
Libério
Silvana Amado
SA
de Fátima Vasconcelos Pereira
Adriana
A
da Cruz
Maria Carmen Fontoura Nogueira
MC
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005929:Glossitis, Benign Migratory / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000209:etiology; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000209:etiology*