ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of pneumomediastinum in patients with dermatomyositis and polymyositis for demonstrating its pathogenesis and for predicting its prognosis. Methods The clinical records of 96 patients with PM/DM were reviewed, focusing on for perdicting its pneumomediastinum. Five patients with pneumomediastinum are described in detail. Case reports of pneumomediastinum in PM/DM in English publications are reviewed. Results Five DM cases complicated by pneumomediastinum all had lung infections. Twenty-nine cases (including our five cases) of DM/PM with pneumomediastinum have taken methylprednisolone, four cases alive, and six died. Nine cases have taken CsA,seven cases alive and two died. Conclusion The infections was strongly suspected as being responsible for the pneumomediastinum. Methylprednisolone has poor effect. CsA can be an effective therapeutic agent in PM/DM.