Polymyositis is an
inflammation of muscle tissue of unknown etiology. It is characterized by symmetric, mainly proximal
muscle weakness, muscle fiber damage proved on biopsy, increased
enzymes and
myoglobin, and has corresponding electromyography findings. Other systems such as joints, lungs, heart, and gastrointestinal system are involved. Lung involvement is rather common. The most frequent symptom represents
shortness of breath caused by
muscle weakness. We report a case of a 66 year old woman with primary
idiopathic polymyositis. The clinical state of the patient was complicated by progressive
muscle weakness,
dysphagia, and
respiratory failure. Due to the ineffectiveness of the treatment with corticsteroids and
cyclophosphamide, treatment with high doses of
immunoglobulins was started. A total of 100 g of i.v. immunoglobulin therapy was administered beginning on the 13th day after hospital admission. The state of the patient progressively improved and after 7 weeks of treatment in a significantly improved state the patient was transferred to a Rehabilitation Unit. We therefore conclude that
IVIg therapy may be an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of acute complications of
polymyositis, especially in cases in whom other therapeutic strategies are ineffective or harmful (Ref. 10). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.