[Calcinosis universalis associated with dermatomyositis. A report on five cases (author's transl)]

Five patients with dermatomyositis developed calcinosis universalis, the calcinosis lesions being diffuse in three cases and localized to a subcutaneous site in the other two. The diffuse lesions developed in young subjects with severe dermatomyositis, and increased progressively during recovery from the muscle disease. Treatment was ineffective. Subcutaneous calcifications can be detected at an early stage by technetium pyrophosphate scintigraphy, while the fluid nature of the swellings due to a local inflammatory reaction is proved by ultrasonography. Good results are obtained after excision of those calcified masses requiring removal because of their size, site, or superinfection.