A Case of Polymyositis Preceded by Bronchiolitis Obliterans with Organizing Pneumonia(BOOP) / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Polymyositis is a inflammatory connective tissue disorder of unknown etiology involving predominantly skeletal muscle, characterized by progressive symmetrical proximal muscle weakness, elevated serum muscle associated enzymes, characteristic pattern of electromyography, mononuclear cell infiltration in muscle, and skin lesions in dermatomyositis. Interstitial lung disease in association with polymyositis occurs in 5~10% of cases, with generally a poor prognosis and its subclassification may be a useful predictor of survival. We have experienced a case of polymyositis associated with bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP). The patient was a 54 year-old woman presented with progressive weakness of both lower extremity and weight loss during 6 months. She had been diagnosed as BOOP by transbronchial lung biopsy 2 years ago. She had typical symptoms, physical signs and elevated serum muscle associated enzymes with characteristic findings of myositis on electromyography and muscle biopsy. Her chest roentgenogram showed slightly improvement of underlying BOOP as compared with that of 2 years ago. Because wound infection was developed at the skin biopsy site, steroid was not used. She finally expired due to sudden cardiopulmonary arrest.