title: Wells syndrome: an enigmatic and therapeutically challenging disease.
abstract: Wells syndrome, also known as eosinophilic cellulitis, is an uncommon condition whose etiology often remains a mystery. Patients present with recurrent cutaneous swellings that are often cellulitic in appearance. Histopathologic evaluation of the skin lesions reveals a dense dermal eosinophilic infiltrate, marked edema, and characteristic "flame figures". Notably, the picture is devoid of vasculitis. Therapy with low-dose systemic steroids has proven variably successful. Clinical evidence lending support for the efficacy of other medications has been, for the most part, anecdotal. We present a case of Wells syndrome, review the literature, and discuss therapeutic options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. christinalchung@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Christina Lee
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Carrie Ann
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Cusack
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008911:Minocycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D009536:Niacinamide; D002990:Clobetasol; D008911:Minocycline