Corticotrophin And Cortisone Therapy In Dermatomyositis

Abstract

Three cases of dermatomyositis treated by corticotrophin and cortisone are reported. The literature on this form of therapy is reviewed. It may be deduced from this review that cortisone or corticotrophin can be a life-saving drug in the acute fulminating attack of dermatomyositis, and in such a case the effect when it occurs is very dramatic. The drug usually fails to improve the more chronic form of the disease, but in view of the occasional success claimed in this category it should never be withheld. Likewise, in dermatomyositis associated with neoplasm a curative effect of the former process by the hormones has been described. © 1956, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.