[Dermatomyositis and polymyositis].

In this review article the author stresses the fact that it is difficult to find a classification which fulfils all clinical, morphological and pathogenetic criteria and that is not advisable to separate the late onset myopathies of M. Shy from the group of polymyositis. Treatment with high doses of corticosteroids is useful in most cases, whereas in individual patients immunosuppressive agents may be tried.