Technetium-99m-pyrophosphate scintigraphic findings of intestinal perforation in dermatomyositis

Abstract

Gastrointestinal complications are more common in children than in adults and present a serious problem with dermatomyositis. We report on a 66-yr-old man with dermatomyositis who suffered from intestinal perforation. The abdominal plain radiograph revealed only dilatation of the intestinal loops; increased radioactivity, however, was clearly demonstrated in the early 5-min and delayed 3-hr 99mTc-pyrophosphate images.