Dermatomyositis

Case contributed by Yaïr Glick
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Known diagnosis of dermatomyositis.

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

Coarse subcutaneous calcifications in the chest wall and abdominal wall.
The X rays are otherwise unremarkable.

ct

CT neck-chest-abdomen obtained several months previously

Coarse subcutaneous calcifications in the arms, chest wall and abdominal wall (Calcinosis universalis).
Very little intramuscular calcification, notably in the quadratus femoris muscles.

Case Discussion

Calcinosis universalis is a condition characterized by long bands or sheets of symmetrical subcutaneous calcification.

~1/3 of cases are associated with sclerodermadermatomyositis, polymyositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Calcinosis universalis manifests as long bands of symmetrical subcutaneous calcification seen extending along deep fascial planes. Tendon and ligamental involvement has been described.

Unlike tumoral calcinosis, it is plaque or sheet like rather than mass like.

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