A Case of Amyopathic Dermatomyositis Associated with Interstitial Pneumonia and Progressive Outer Retinal Necrosis Causing Blindness

Abstract

We report a case of amyopathic dermatomyositis with progressive outer retinal necrosis during therapy for interstitial pneumonia. The patient was a 58-year-old female. She had edematous erythema on her forehead, V-neck area, waist and back with no myopathy and developed interstitial pneumonia. We administered steroid pulse therapy under the diagnosis of amyopathic dermatomyositis, but the interstitial pneumonia worsened. Three days after the start of cyclosporin administration, she developed herpes zoster on her left waist, which disappeared after acyclovir administration. After two months, she suddenly complained of a disorder of her eyes, which was diagnosed as progressive outer retinal necrosis. In spite of the administration of gancyclovir and foscarnet sodium hydrate, it worsened quickly, and she finally lost her sight.