Refractory myositis affecting the intrinsic muscles of the hand

Abstract

Myositis generally affects the proximal muscles. However, we herein report a case of a 48-year-old woman with intractable myositis affecting the intrinsic muscles of the hands. Her myositis, which developed in childhood, was refractory to treatment with steroids and several immunosuppressants, causing walking disability. After experiencing pain and swelling in the hands for six months, she was diagnosed with myositis of the intrinsic muscles of the hands and tested positive for the anti-signal recognition particle antibody. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy improved the myositis of the hands. This case suggests that inflammation caused by intractable myositis can extend to the hands.