A refractory case of dermatomyositis complicated with multiple brain abscesses

We describe a 48-year-old woman with dermatomyositis complicated with interstitial pneumonia. The pulmonary lesion was refractory; however, several therapeutic regimens such as steriod pulse therapy or gamma globulin and cyclophosphamide, resolved the situation. Later she developed multiple brain abscesses thought to be responsible for immune depression; prolonged antimycotic therapy brought dramatic improvement. Brain abscess is a rare complication in such immuno-compromised cases; attention should be given to the possibility of deep mycosis, especially brain abscess.