Many misconceptions persist concerning fundamental issues related to the idiopathic
inflammatory myopathies. Such misconceptions can lead to frank mistakes in the diagnosis
and management of these disorders. In some cases, these misperceptions have resulted
from overreliance on out-of-date information and ``classic'' articles that are no
longer classic! In other instances, misperceptions persist because of the many voids
in our understanding of these diseases. This review uses case presentations to highlight
important caveats in diagnosing and managing the common idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.
Polymyositis - dermatomyositis - inclusion body myositis - immunotherapy