Subcutaneous Emphysema with Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Pneumothorax in Adult Dermatomyositis

We describe a 32‐year‐old patient with adult dermatomyositis who developed dyspnea and worsening of pre‐existing infarcted skin lesions of the fingers. Chest radiographs showed diffuse hazy reticulonodular infiltration in both lungs, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax. The p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of dermatology 1999-02, Vol.26 (2), p.125-127
Main Authors: Jang, Kyoung‐Ae, Kim, So‐Hyung, Choi, Jee‐Ho, Sung, Kyung‐Jeh, Moon, Kee‐Chan, Koh, Jai‐Kyoung
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
dermatomyositis
Dermatomyositis - complications
Female
Humans
Mediastinal Emphysema - etiology
Pneumothorax - etiology
spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax
subcutaneous emphysema
Subcutaneous Emphysema - etiology
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Summary:We describe a 32‐year‐old patient with adult dermatomyositis who developed dyspnea and worsening of pre‐existing infarcted skin lesions of the fingers. Chest radiographs showed diffuse hazy reticulonodular infiltration in both lungs, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax. The pulmonary symptoms and cutaneous lesions gradually improved with a high dose of prednisolone. Although subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum occur frequently in association with traumatic disruption of cutaneous and mucosal barriers and assisted ventilation, it has rarely been observed in patients with interstitial pneumonitis in connective tissue diseases. Although dermatomyositis and subcutaneous emphysema are all relatively well‐known diseases to dermatologists, the occurrence of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax and subsequent subcutaneous emphysema in connective tissue diseases such as dermatomyositis is unfamiliar. We discuss the possible mechanisms of this condition.
ISSN:0385-2407
1346-8138
DOI:10.1111/j.1346-8138.1999.tb03524.x