Accelerated nodulosis developed on the fingers of a woman successfully treated with low dose methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. Colchicine therapy resulted in regression of these nodules for twelve months. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the dermatological literature on this relatively new entity in which the skin is also involved.

Nuchal fibroma was diagnosed in a 54-year-old diabetic woman with a two year history of increased skin thickness of her low-posterior neck and interscapular region, causing discomfort and limitation of neck and arm motion. Physical and laboratory examinations excluded further disorders. The patient was released, free from symptoms, after complete excision of the soft tissue tumor.

A 44-year-old woman presented with erythema multiforme minor followed by disseminated granuloma annulare 4 weeks later. The patient was not taking any medication and had no history of herpes simplex infection. Involvement of a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in the pathogenesis of these two well known disorders, as suggested by immunological investigations, may explain their concurrence in our patient. The substitution of the erythema multiforme minor lesions by an eruption of disseminated granuloma annulare at the same sites suggests the possibility of a Koebner phenomenon or an isotopic response.

A patient with a 32-year history of tumoral calcinosis is described. The calcified lesions involved the soft tissues in the hips, shoulders, and ankles. Periodically, a chalky semifluid material extruded through several cutaneous sinuses. Laboratory tests including serum calcium concentration were normal, except for slight elevation of serum phosphorous levels. Ophthalmologic examination revealed the interesting finding of subretinal angioid streaks. The dental radiograms disclosed pathognomonic short bulbous roots and partial obliteration of pulp cavities, while the radiological evaluation of the tumoral masses revealed typical features of tumoral calcinosis.

Dermatomyositis and carcinoma of colon were diagnosed in a 66-year-old woman. Meticulous physical examination excluded further systemic or cutaneous involvement. The musculocutaneous disorders responded well to daily oral corticosteroid, and the malignant tumor was totally removed surgically. After a seven-year follow-up of actual dermatomyositis controlled by maintenance doses of prednisone ranging from 5 to 15 mg daily, the patient developed a meningioma. Current concepts and data regarding various aspects of the combination between dermatomyositis and tumors are discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of meningioma associated with dermatomyositis.