CASE REPORT

A case of polymyositis complicated with interstitial pneumonitis and pneumomediastinum

Authors

Hiroshi Maruoka¹ , Seiyo Honda¹, Masaaki Takeo¹, Hirohiko Kitazato¹, Noriko Hanai¹, Ryuusuke Ayukawa¹, Katsuichiro Tanaka¹, Takaaki Fukuda¹ and Hisamichi Aizawa¹

Received:

07 September 2005

Accepted:

14 December 2005

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Abstract

Pneumomediastinum as a complication of interstitial pneumonia with leakage of air into the mediastinum or subcutaneous tissues is a rare complication of dermatomyositis (DM). Herein we report a case of pneumomediastinum complicating polymyositis (PM), which is usually associated with DM. A 61-year-old man was hospitalized in our department because of deterioration of interstitial pneumonia. Treatment with high-dose corticosteroid and cyclosporin A steadily improved his interstitial pneumonia. Two weeks later, he developed subcutaneous emphysema and chest X-ray showed pneumomediastinum. Both subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum improved gradually without any additional treatment.

Key words

Corticosteroid - Cyclosporin A - Interstitial pneumonitis - Pneumomediastinum - Polymyositis

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