An unusual case of inflammatory necrotizing myopathy and neuropathy with pipestem capillaries

Neurol India. 2015 Jan-Feb;63(1):72-6. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.152642.

Abstract

Necrotizing myopathy with pipestem capillaries is a form of chronic inflammatory myopathy, with histopathology showing necrotizing myopathy, minimal cellular infiltration, and microangiopathy. A 30-year-old female presented with progressive limb weakness of 6 months, with skin pigmentation and Raynaud's phenomenon. Serum creatine phosphokinase was 3990 u/L. Muscle biopsy showed necrotic fibers, focal sparse perivascular inflammation/perifascicular atrophy, endomysial/epimysial vessel wall thickening with luminal narrowing. The features were of inflammatory necrotizing myopathy and neuropathy with pipestem capillaries/microangiopathy. She was pulsed with intravenous immunoglobulin, methylprednisolone, and cyclophosphamide and showed a good improvement. In the absence of widespread inflammatory response and classical histopathology findings, it is important to diagnose this condition as it shows a good response to aggressive and prolonged immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Capillaries / pathology*
  • Creatine Kinase / blood
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Dermatomyositis / diagnosis*
  • Dermatomyositis / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / therapeutic use
  • Inflammation / diagnosis
  • Inflammation / therapy
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Muscle, Skeletal / blood supply
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Necrosis / diagnosis
  • Necrosis / therapy
  • Peripheral Nerves / pathology*
  • Raynaud Disease / diagnosis
  • Raynaud Disease / therapy

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Creatine Kinase
  • Methylprednisolone