Therapy of calcinosis universalis complicating adult dermatomyositis

Although frequent in juvenile dermatomyositis, calcinosis is a rare finding in adult dermatomyositis. It has been associated with disease activity and delayed treatment. It is more common in later phases of the disease, in sites under chronic stress and trauma. Calcinosis has been associated with inflammation but information about its pathogeny continues to evolve as we learn more about the underlying processes. Being uncommon, there is no standard therapy and management is guided by case studies and series. Different treatments have been used in an attempt to clear calcinosis lesions and prevent its recurrence but none has been clearly effective. The authors present the case of a 25 year-old female diagnosed with dermatomyositis who developed calcinosis universalis after stopping therapy. Immunossupressive therapy was reinitiated and therapy aiming at reduction of calcinosis was sequentially tried using: colchicine, hydroxide magnesium, diltiazem, alendronate, probenecid and pamidronate. After receiving intravenous pamidronate, calcinosis lesions decreased and the patient regained full range of movement and quality of life. No recurrence has occurred after eight years of follow-up.