Rapidly progressive calcinosis cutis in adult-onset dermatomyositis: A case report

Abstract

Calcinosis cutis is an uncommon but clinically significant complication of dermatomyositis, occurring in approximately 11%–20% of adult patients. We report a case of rapidly progressive, extensive calcinosis cutis in a 52-year-old woman with adult-onset dermatomyositis. Despite ongoing systemic immunosuppressive therapy, she developed biopsy-confirmed calcinosis within 3 months of initial presentation, with subsequent extension to the bilateral axillae, anterior chest wall, and proximal thighs causing functional impairment. Myositis-specific antibody panel results are pending. This case illustrates the aggressive potential of calcinosis in adult dermatomyositis, the limited therapeutic options once calcification is established, and the importance of early aggressive disease control.