Spontaneous abdominal hematoma in dermatomyositis

Muscle Nerve. 1998 Dec;21(12):1800-3. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199812)21:12<1800::aid-mus29>3.0.co;2-z.

Abstract

Dermatomyositis is associated with a number of systemic manifestations and diseases. We present 2 patients with dermatomyositis, aged 11 and 50 years, who developed acute abdominal pain, both a result of spontaneous hemorrhage. Hemorrhage was detectable by physical examination in one and on computed tomography scan of the abdomen in the other. Both patients made a full recovery with supportive treatment. While the cause of the hemorrhage was uncertain, in 1 patient massive calcinosis of the abdominal wall was present, and trauma may have been the precipitant. Spontaneous abdominal hematoma is a cause of acute abdominal pain in patients with dermatomyositis, and surgery may be avoided if the diagnosis is recognized.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Muscles*
  • Calcinosis / complications
  • Child
  • Dermatomyositis / complications*
  • Dermatomyositis / therapy
  • Female
  • Hematoma / complications*
  • Hematoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Hematoma / pathology
  • Hematoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscular Diseases / complications*
  • Muscular Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Muscular Diseases / pathology
  • Muscular Diseases / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed