Juvenile eosinophilic fasciitis: three case reports with review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
Eosinophilic fasciitis is an uncommon scleroderma-like disorder characterised by induration and thickening of skin and soft tissue, usually associated with peripheral eosinophilia, poorly characterised in childhood.


METHODS
We report 3 paediatric cases of eosinophilic fasciitis showing unusual clinical and histopathological features with a review of the literature.


RESULTS
All cases presented progressive motility impairment started from upper limbs with no skin abnormalities. All cases showed systemic inflammatory involvement and 2 patients had acute complications. Two patients developed disabling outcomes despite appropriate treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
Eosinophilic fasciitis may present unusual clinical and histopathological features during childhood and requires early recognition in order to prevent acute complications and disabling outcomes.
UOC Pediatria II, Reumatologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy. papariccardo86@gmail.com.
Riccardo
R
Papa
UOC Anatomia patologica, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
Paolo
P
Nozza
UOC Radiologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
Claudio
C
Granata
UOC Pediatria II, Reumatologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
Roberta
R
Caorsi
UOC Pediatria II, Reumatologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
Marco
M
Gattorno
Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy.
Alberto
A
Martini
UOC Pediatria II, Reumatologia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
Paolo
P
Picco
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003286:Contracture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005205:Fascia / Q000473:pathology*; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008727:Methotrexate