Polymyositis and diffuse interstitial lung disease. A review of the pulmonary histopathologic findings

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Abstract
A retrospective analysis was performed of 105 patients with polymyositis for 8 yr. Roentgenographic evidence of pulmonary interstitial disease was present in 10 adult patients (9%) with polymyositis unassociated with other connective tissue disorders. Review of the pulmonary histopathologic findings indicated a spectrum of pulmonary diffuse interstitial infiltrates and fibroplasia of the alveolar septae. Response to glucocorticoids with regard to pulmonary symptoms was variable. Therapeutic response seemed to be influenced by the cellularity of the chronic interstitial infiltrates and the degree of fibroplasia of the alveolar septae. EM studies of the lung tissue from 2 patients with polymyositis and diffuse interstitial lung disease failed to demonstrate immune complexes or viral particles.