Dermatomyositis is accompanied, in a significant number of cases, and most often in the medium to long term, by para-articular calcifications (calcinosis). The pathophysiology of calcinosis remains poorly understood. American researchers at the NIH studied it quantitatively and qualitatively using whole-body CT scans:
- 31 patients were included in this prospective study, including 14 adults with dermatomyositis and 17 younger patients with juvenile dermatomyositis,
- several differential patterns of calcinosis were identified,
- unusual/ectopic areas of calcinosis were found in the heart, pelvis and spermatic cord,
- the Agatson score was used to interestingly quantify the phenomenon, albeit imperfectly.
This combined approach (whole-body CT scan and Agatson score) is more sensitive than a simple physical examination by the clinician.
