New insight into calcinosis of juvenile dermatomyositis: a study of composition and treatment

J Pediatr. 2001 May;138(5):763-6. doi: 10.1067/mpd.2001.112473.

Abstract

Milk of calcium developed in 2 children with juvenile dermatomyositis. The fluid of the collection contained macrophages, interleukin-6, IL-1, and tumor necrosis factor. The patient who had dystrophic calcinosis had a dramatic improvement with the introduction of alendronate. These findings suggest that calcinosis of juvenile dermatomyositis may be mediated by activated macrophages and that alendronate can be an effective treatment for this condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alendronate / therapeutic use*
  • Calcinosis / drug therapy*
  • Calcinosis / etiology*
  • Calcinosis / metabolism
  • Dermatomyositis / complications*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-1 / analysis
  • Macrophages
  • Male
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / analysis

Substances

  • Interleukin-1
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Alendronate