Scleromyxedema myopathy: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

We describe a patient who had scleromyxedema associated with proximal myopathy. The histopathologic and electron microscopic features are presented. In addition, we review the clinical and pathologic features of all 9 previously reported patients with documented scleromyxedema and myopathy. Proximal (pharyngeal) or distal dysphagia (7 of 7 patients), elevated creatine kinase (5 of 8), elevated aldolase (3 of 3), and electromyographically demonstrated myopathy (7 of 7) were usual features. Four patients had muscle biopsies that showed myofibril vacuolar changes, but inflammation was infrequent (2 cases). Our patient responded to oral prednisone and weekly intravenous methotrexate with improvement of the erythroderma, papular rash, and muscle strength.