[A case of amyopathic dermatomyositis associated with interstitial pneumonitis]

A patient (47-year old female) who had erythema similar to Gottron's sign on bilateral finger joints since two years ago, started to have polyarthralgia on bilateral knee and shoulder on the spring of 1993. Polyarthralgia was extended to both wrist and hand joints on Oct. of 1995. On the middle of Dec. 1995, she began to have exertional dyspnea and was referred and admitted in our hospital on 18th, Dec., 1995. Chest X-ray and CT scan showed the shadow for active interstitial pneumonitis on bilateral lower lung fields. Blood gas analysis indicated hypoxia (PaO2: 62.8 mmHg) and low % DLCO (64.7%). Skin eruption of face (heliotrope-like erythema) and hands (Gottron's sign) and skin biopsy (right hand) findings were compatible with that in dermatomyositis. The analysis in blood biochemistry showed no elevation for muscle enzymes. The diagnosis for amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) was made according to the criteria proposed by Euwer & Sontheimer (1993). The steroid pulse therapy and 50 mg per day of cyclophosphamide were immediately administered. The dyspnea and dermatitis were improved within two weeks after therapy. She is presently in remission until Jan. 1997 with the maintenance dosis of 10 mg per day of oral prednisolone.