Eosinophilic fasciitis

Abstract

Localized areas of indurated skin, which were adherent to the underlying tissues of the upper extremities, suddenly developed in a 55 yr old woman. Histologic examination of these bound-down areas disclosed a thickening and inflammation of the deep fascia. There was an associated eosinophilia and a marked clinical improvement after 18 mo of oral steroid therapy. These gross and microscopic findings, as well as the peripheral eosinophilia and clinical response while oral steroids were administered, are all characteristics of the recently described entity called eosinophilic fascitis. Its recognition is important since it may be steroid responsive.