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Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is an uncommon disorder characterized by symmetric and painful inflammation, swelling, and induration of the arms and legs. Diagnosis is by biopsy of skin and fascia. Treatment is with corticosteroids.

The cause of EF is unknown. The disorder occurs mostly in middle-aged men but can occur in women and children.

Symptoms and Signs

The disease often begins after strenuous physical activity (eg, chopping wood). The initial features are pain, swelling, and inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, followed by induration, creating a characteristic orange-peel configuration most evident over the anterior surfaces of the extremities. The face and trunk are occasionally involved. Restriction of arm and leg movement usually develops insidiously. Contractures commonly evolve, secondary to induration and thickening of the fascia, but the process may also involve tendons, synovial membranes, and muscle. Typically, EF does not involve the fingers and toes (acral areas). Muscle strength is unimpaired, but myalgia and arthritis may occur. Carpal tunnel syndrome may also occur.

Fatigue and weight loss are common. Rarely, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphoproliferative processes develop.

Diagnosis

• Biopsy

EF should be suspected in patients with typical symptoms. The cutaneous manifestations may suggest systemic sclerosis; however, patients with systemic sclerosis usually also have Raynaud's syndrome, acral involvement, telangiectasia, and visceral changes (eg, esophageal dysmotility). All of these are absent in EF.

Diagnosis is confirmed by en bloc biopsy, which should be deep enough to include fascia and adjacent muscle fibers. Characteristic findings are inflammation of the fascia, with or without eosinophils.

Blood tests are not diagnostic, but CBC shows eosinophilia (in early active disease), and serum protein electrophoresis shows polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. CBC should be done in all patients because the presence of eosinophilia helps in the diagnosis. Autoantibodies are usually absent. MRI, although not specific, can show thickened fascia, the increased signal intensity in the superficial muscle fibers correlating with the inflammation.

Prognosis

Although the long-term outcome varies, EF is often self-limited and uncomplicated.

Treatment

• Oral prednisoneSome Trade Names
  DELTASONE
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Most patients respond rapidly to high doses of prednisoneSome Trade Names
DELTASONE
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(40 to 60 mg po once/day followed by gradual reduction to 5 to 10 mg/day as soon as the fasciitis resolves). Continued low doses may be required for 2 to 5 yr. Some patients require longer courses and possibly other drugs (eg, hydroxychloroquineSome Trade Names
PLAQUENIL
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, cyclosporineSome Trade Names
NEORAL
SANDIMMUNE
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). NSAIDs and H₂ blockers (eg, cimetidineSome Trade Names
TAGAMET
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) also have been used to treat EF.

Monitoring with CBCs is advised because of the occasional hematologic complications.

Last full review/revision February 2008 by Rula A. Hajj-ali, MD

Content last modified February 2008