title: Eosinophilic fasciitis: a mast cell disorder?
abstract: The rarity of eosinophilic fasciitis has so far prevented systematic investigations. Its etiology is still unknown and its nosographical position to be defined. We report here a further case whose distinctive features were: a gradual onset simultaneous with allergic bronchial asthma; the absence of eosinophils and presence of a high number of degranulating mast cells and Sezary-like cells in the inflamed fascia. The follow-up and a second biopsy suggested that early steroid treatment is advisable in these patients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000473:pathology*; D005205:Fascia / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014582:Urticaria Pigmentosa / Q000473:pathology*