J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2009 Dec;16(4):291-295.

A Case of Dermatomyositis Showing Vesicular Lesion Associated with Ovarian Cancer

• Ha YJ
• Jung SY
• Lee KH
• Choi JJ
• Lee KK
• Lee SK
• Park YB

Abstract

Dermatomyositis is a rare inflammatory myopathy with characteristic skin manifestations and accompanied by muscular weakness. Vesicle formation in dermatomyositis is rare. We report a case of dermatomyositis associated with ovarian cancer in a 62-year-old woman who had vesicles and bullae on her arms. She had erythema and edema on the face, chest, abdomen, and shoulder for 2 months. Diagnosis of dermatomyositis was established by clinical manifestations, muscle enzyme elevation, and a characteristic electromyogram. She was successfully treated with cyclosporin and high doses of steroids.

Keyword

Dermatomyositis; Ovarian cancer; Bullae or vesicle

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Arm
Blister
Cyclosporine
Dermatomyositis
Edema
Erythema
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Muscle Weakness
Muscles
Myositis
Ovarian Neoplasms
Shoulder
Skin Manifestations
Steroids
Thorax
Cyclosporine
Steroids

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Skin lesions (A) periorbital erythema and edema (Heliotrope rash), (B, C) diffuse erythematous swelling on the anterior chest, neck, upper back and shoulder (V sign, Shawl sign) (D) multiple erythematous patches and bullae on the right arm.

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  Fig. 2. Skin biopsy revealed subepidermal inflammatory bullae (A) epidermal atrophy and marked subepidermal edema (H&E stain, ×40), (B) inflammatory cell (lymphocyte, histiocyte, and eosinophil) infiltration around the bullae. (H&E stain, ×200).

Reference

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