Spontaneous abdominal hematoma in dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is associated with a number of systemic manifestations and diseases. We present 2 patients with dermatomyositis, aged 11 and 50 years, who developed acute abdominal pain, both a result of spontaneous hemorrhage. Hemorrhage was detectable by physical examination in one and on computed tomography scan of the abdomen in the other. Both patients made a full recovery with supportive treatment. While the cause of the hemorrhage was uncertain, in 1 patient massive calcinosis of the abdominal wall was present, and trauma may have been the precipitant. Spontaneous abdominal hematoma is a cause of acute abdominal pain in patients with dermatomyositis, and surgery may be avoided if the diagnosis is recognized. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 21: 1800–1803, 1998