title: Dramatic Improvement of Subcutaneous Calcinosis by Intermittent, High-Dose Etidronate plus Cimetidine in a Patient with Juvenile Dermatomyositis.
abstract: A 17-year-old boy with juvenile dermatomyositis presented with typical skin symptoms, mild myositis, and bilateral lower limb calcinosis. His skin and muscle symptoms responded to treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine. However, calcinosis did not improve, and the patient had a limited range of knee joint motion and resultant disturbance of daily activities. Cimetidine was combined with intermittent administration of high-dose etidronate, leading to marked improvement of both subcutaneous and muscular calcinosis with no skeletal adverse reactions during a long treatment period exceeding 5 years. As a result, the range of knee joint motion has increased and performance of daily activities has improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital, 1838 Ishikawamachi, Hachioji 192-0032, Japan.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wakabayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital, 1838 Ishikawamachi, Hachioji 192-0032, Japan.
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara 259-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Naofumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chinen
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara 259-1193, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki