Dermatomyositis-erythrodermia: clinical presentation not associated to malignancy. A case report.

The association of erythroderma and dermatomyositis is rare. In 6 reported cases found by searching Pubmed, half of them were associated with digestive tract neoplasms (stomach and liver). We report the case of a 69 years-old woman with bilateral proximal weakness, joint pain, photosensitivity, facial and heliotrope erythema lasting 18 months. One month prior to hospital admission she showed progressive dysphagia and a universal erythema and scaling that affected mucosa, palms and soles with an accompanying weight loss of 10 kg in 6 months. No malignancy was identified at any level despite an exhaustive search.