Polymyositis presenting as a neck mass

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1992 Mar;118(3):318-20. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1992.01880030108022.

Abstract

Polymyositis is a rare disease entity belonging to the class of enigmatic disorders known as the collagen vascular diseases. It is characterized by proximal muscle weakness. More than 50% of the patients with this disease have development of head and neck manifestations, most commonly a heliotrope rash or dysphagia. Weakness and atrophy of neck muscles, and lolling of the neck have also been described. We report a case of polymyositis presenting as a neck mass, a heretofore undescribed manifestation of this disease in the head and neck. A review of the literature and an interdisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of this unusual disease will be described.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Myositis / diagnosis*
  • Myositis / therapy
  • Neck Muscles / pathology*