A Case of Dermatomyositis Complicated with Pneumomediastinum Successfully treated with Cyclosporine A: a Case Report and Review of Literature

ABSTRACT

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting skeletal muscles and other organs. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (PnM) has been previously reported as a rare complication of DM and it is known to occur more frequently in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Here we report on a case of a 52-year-old woman with DM who developed spontaneous PnM, which was treated successfully with high-dose steroid pulse therapy and cyclosporine A (CsA). This case suggests that CsA can be an effective therapeutic agent in DM refractory to glucocorticoid therapy, with ILD or pulmonary fibrosis accompanied by DM. CsA should be considered as an initial immunosuppressive agent for patients with PnM in DM.