Dermatomyositis associated with gallbladder carcinoma: A case report

Patients with gallbladder carcinoma can present with a variety of paraneoplastic syndromes, including Cushing's syndrome, hypercalcemia, acanthosis nigricans, bullous pemphigoid, dermatomyositis and the sign of Leser-Trelat. Surgical resection of the primary tumor results in resolution of these paraneoplastic syndromes. We present a 67-year old female with facial and cervical erythema who was initially diagnosed with dermatomyositis. However, an abdominal computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography CT scan was suspicious for gallbladder carcinoma with lymph node metastasis. After surgical resection, her dermatomyositis was resolved. This case demonstrates that dermatomyositis may be a manifestation of preexisting gallbladder carcinoma. (C) 2013 Baishideng. All rights reserved.