Dermatomyositis with Universal Calcinosis

Abstract

Biopsies from a 5 yr old girl with dermatomyositis and universal calcinosis were studied histopathologically and by electron optical techniques. The dermis was infiltrated by fibroblasts, lymphocytes and plasma cells. In the lower part of the dermis, dense basophilic areas were present. Irregular elastic fibers appeared in the vicinity of these areas. With EM, these elastic fibers appeared mineralized to varying degrees. The mineral part was identified as calcium apatite (either calcium hydroxyapatite or calcium fluoroapatite) by X-ray microanalysis and selected area diffraction. No calcification was observed outside the elastic fibers.