Patterns of calcification in childhood dermatomyositis

The radiographs of 40 patients with childhood dermatomyositis, an uncommon inflammatory disease, were reviewed. Four distinct patterns of calcification were identified: deep calcareal masses, superficial calcareal masses, deep linear deposits, and a lacy, reticular, subcutaneous deposition of calcium encasing the torso (not emphasized in recent literature). This linear reticular pattern of calcification was associated with a severe unremitting clinical course. Soft-tissue calcification was identified in 40% of cases, a lower incidence than previously reported. No patient in this series had acroosteolysis or pulmonary parenchymal disease, radiographic findings more commonly associated with childhood scleroderma.