[Dermatomyositis: successful therapy with high dosage intravenous 7S immunoglobulins]

This report describes the successful administration of high dose, intravenous 7S immunoglobulins (IG) to an 11 year-old girl with corticosteroid-resistant dermatomyositis. Clinical symptoms improved immediately and the pathological laboratory findings normalized within 10 days of commencement of immunoglobulin therapy. After three cycles of IG the patient showed complete remission of the muscular and dermatological findings. On follow-up examination after one year the patient remained symptom-free in the absence of any therapy and was leading a normally active life. The efficacy of IG therapy in this case is reviewed in the light of the literature.