[Dermatomyositis with spinulosis (Wong type dermatomyositis). Histologic study. Attempt at pathogenic interpretation].

The authors present a case of dermatomyositis with generalised spinulosis of pilose pityriasis rubra (lichen ruber acuminatus) type, giving a highly characteristic appearance of linear verruciform spinulosis of the back of the hands. They describe the histological lesions and feel that this spinulosis is probably due to marked degenerative smooth muscle myositis of the erector pili muscles. They recall the earlier cases of O'Leary and Christianson and above all those of Wong. The case reported is the first in a child.