Rapidly Progressive Polymyositis With Vasculitis: The Pivotal Role of Histopathology in Diagnosis and Management.

Venmanassery Karnalsingh, A.; Karappilly Vijayan, A.; Roselin Edwin Peter, M.; Davis, D.

Rapidly Progressive Polymyositis With Vasculitis: The Pivotal Role of Histopathology in Diagnosis and Management.

All Authors

Venmanassery Karnalsingh, A.

Karappilly Vijayan, A.

Roselin Edwin Peter, M.

Davis, D.

LTHT Author

Karnalsingh, Amitha
Karappilly Vijayan, Arjun
Edwin, Monica Roselin

LTHT Department

Doctors' Rotation
Specialty & Integrated Medicine
Acute Internal Medicine

Publication Date

2025

Item Type

Case Reports
Journal Article

Abstract

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a heterogeneous group of inflammatory myopathies whose common feature is immune-related muscle injury. Polymyositis is a rare idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterised by progressive proximal muscle weakness and muscle inflammation. Diagnosis can be challenging due to overlapping features with other neuromuscular conditions. This case highlights the pivotal role of histopathology in establishing a definitive diagnosis when clinical, laboratory, and electromyography findings were inconclusive. A 62-year-old woman presented with rapidly progressive proximal muscle weakness, dysphagia, and respiratory compromise. Muscle biopsy revealed definitive features of polymyositis with associated vasculitis, guiding targeted immunosuppressive therapy and resulting in a marked clinical improvement.