Hydroxyurea-induced amyopathic dermatomyositis presenting with heliotrope erythema

Dermatol Online J. 2014 Aug 17;20(8):13030/qt2r11f768.

Abstract

Hydroxyurea (HU) is a chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders such as chronic myeloid leukemia, polycythemia vera, and essential thrombocytosis. We describe a 69-year-old man who had essential thrombocytosis and developed amyopathic dermatomyositis after long-term HU therapy. He presented with Gottron papules and heliotrope erythema. The former has been described in all cases of HU-induced dermatomyositis; the latter has been seen in a few cases of that disorder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dermatomyositis / chemically induced*
  • Dermatomyositis / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Erythema / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyurea / adverse effects*
  • Hydroxyurea / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Myeloproliferative Disorders / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Hydroxyurea

Supplementary concepts

  • Amyopathic dermatomyositis