[Granulomatous myositis during collagenosis (one case) and suprasellar dysgerminoma (one case) (author's transl)]

Two cases of mainly interstitial myositis with epitheloid and giant cells are reported. In the first case, the late amyotrophic-type paralysis of the two girdles, of the clinical myositis type, was associated with severe myocardial damage, the atrioventricular conduction disorder requiring a pace-maker. This observation would appear to be a true polymyositis of the collagen diseases, in view of the associated skin affection, death occurring within a year, a large increase in serum muscle enzymes and urine creatine, the existence of a rheumatoid factor and striated muscle antibodies, and a large increase in M and G immunoglobulins. In the 2nd case, the amyotrophic affection of the pelvic girdle was associated with progressive blindness, diabetes insipidus, and anterior pituitary insufficiency. Death occurred after two years and autopsy showed a suprasellar dysgerminoma (ectopic pinealoma) without any visceral localization of sarcoidosis. The authors discuss the concept of granulomatous polymyositis, autonomous with respect to the sarcoidosis, and sometimes symptomatic of an inflammatory connective tissue condition or a malignant tumor.