Myositis mimics in scleroderma: A case series of neuromuscular diseases that can co-exist in scleroderma

We present a case series of four patients with systemic sclerosis and skeletal myopathy. While idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, or myositis, are thought to be the most common type of muscle disease seen in systemic sclerosis, we highlight four cases where unique clinical findings and careful assessment ruled out myositis mimics. Key diagnostic tools that can be helpful for clinicians to diagnose a neuromuscular disease are also detailed in this report.

Automated summary

We present a case series of four patients with systemic sclerosis and skeletal myopathy. Different from the most common muscle disease seen in systemic sclerosis, which is idiopathic inflammatory myopathies or myositis, we highlight four cases where unique clinical findings and careful assessment ruled out myositis mimics. This report also provides detailed information about key diagnostic tools that can be helpful for clinicians in diagnosing neuromuscular diseases.