[Plasma exchange in dermatology: apropos of a case of dermatomyositis].

Abstract

We present a 45 years old male with dermatomyositis refractory to eight months of standard treatment who responded to plasma exchange. The efficacy of the procedure is estimated from clinical follow-up (increase in strength) and serum creatine-kinase activity (decrease from 3,380 to 44 u/ml.) after five sessions of plasma exchange. The therapeutic indications for PE are reviewed in dermatological diseases with emphasis on cases where the response to steroids or cytotoxic drugs is inadequate.