title: Eosinophilic fasciitis: a distinct clinical entity?
abstract: Eosinophilic Fasciitis is a syndrome characterized by exertion related scleroderma-like skin changes, peripheral eosinophilia, hypergammaglobulinemia and diffuse faciitis. Controversy exists as to the precise classification of the syndrome, i.e., whether it is a distinct entity or a variant of scleroderma. We describe a patient with eosinophilic faciitis but with several unique features: 1) progressive skin changes unresponsive to corticosteroid therapy; 2) elevated anti-DNA antibodies; 3) hypocomplementemia; and 4) a followup biopsy showing sclerodermatoid skin changes. These features and others relating to the controversial aspects of classification of eosinophilic fasciitis are discussed.
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone