Dermatomyositis, complicated with pneumomediastinum, successfully treated with cyclosporine A: a case report and review of literature

Rheumatol Int. 2009 Jul;29(9):1101-4. doi: 10.1007/s00296-008-0822-2. Epub 2008 Dec 18.

Abstract

We report a rare case of patient with dermatomyositis (DM) who developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum (PnM) and subcutaneous emphysema. She was successfully treated with oral prednisolone and cyclosporine A (CsA). We reviewed the cases of PnM in patients with DM treated with CsA. A review of four previously reported cases revealed that treatment with systemic glucocorticoid and CsA was effective for the DM and PnM. We indicate that initial and early treatment of the patients with DM and PnM with CsA enabled rapid tapering of the dose of glucocorticoid and improved the disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use*
  • Dermatomyositis / complications*
  • Dermatomyositis / diagnostic imaging
  • Dermatomyositis / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / drug therapy*
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / etiology*
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine