A case of juvenile dermatomyositis manifesting inflammatory epidermal nevus-like skin lesions: unrecognized cutaneous manifestation of blaschkitis?

Allergol Int. 2010 Dec;59(4):425-8. doi: 10.2332/allergolint.10-CR-0213. Epub 2010 Oct 25.

Abstract

Background: Juvenile dermatomyositis is potentially life threatening rare autoimmune illness that mainly affects muscle and skin. Cutaneous features are useful in establishing the diagnosis of this disease.

Case summary: We report an 8-year-old male juvenile dermatomyositis who presented epidermal nevus like-lesions on the back of the right thigh. Characteristic cutaneous changes such as Gottron's papules of the hand, heliotrope rash of the eyelids, and poikiloderma-like lesions on the back were observed. Diagnosis of juvenile dermatomyositis was made by positive muscle biopsy and magnetic resonance imaging findings and typical cutaneous manifestations. However, epidermal nevus-like skin lesions, an acquired inflammatory dermatosis that follows Blaschko lines, seen in this case have been rarely reported in the literatures.

Discussion: We would like to report this case and discuss about the significance and pathogenesis of this rare cutaneous manifestation like Blaschkitis in juvenile dermatomyositis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dermatomyositis / diagnosis
  • Dermatomyositis / drug therapy
  • Dermatomyositis / pathology
  • Dermatomyositis / physiopathology
  • Erythema
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Inflammation
  • Keratoderma, Palmoplantar
  • Male
  • Muscle Tonus / immunology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / immunology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology*
  • Nevus, Sebaceous of Jadassohn
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Skin / pathology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Prednisolone

Supplementary concepts

  • Amyopathic dermatomyositis