[Pulmonary manifestations of polymyositis and dermatomyositis: a report of 6 cases and a review of literature].

The group of 6 patients with interstitial pulmonary changes in the course of polymyositis or dermatomyositis treated in years 1986-1999 was assessed. In one woman pulmonary changes occurred ten years before other symptoms of the connective tissue disease. Lung function tests showed a restrictive ventilatory defect in all patients. High resolution computed tomography revealed different changes, from ground glass attenuation to honey--combing. Only one patient, probably with bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, responded to corticosteroids. Four women died from respiratory failure. In 2 pneumomediastinum occurred, which is a rare complication.