Diagnosis of juvenile dermatomyositis
Diagnosing JDM can be difficult because it is a relatively rare disease. In making a diagnosis, the doctor will gather information from the medical history, the physical examination and testing. Testing may include: Blood tests: To detect elevated muscle enzymes from inflamed muscle. Blood test can also check specific antibodies that contribute to muscle weakness, which will guide treatment, prognosis and determine the possibility of other organ involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnetic waves and computer to produce images. MRI is used to detect subtle inflammation in muscle in early disease and identify the location of inflamed muscle. Muscle/skin biopsy: Minor surgery is done to remove a small piece of tissue to look at under the microscope. In dermatomyositis, inflammatory cells are seen surrounding and damaging the tiny blood vessels within the muscles or skin.
