title: Eosinophilic fasciitis.
abstract: Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare sclerodermiform syndrome of unknown etiology. It is characterized by the thickening of the muscular fascia and subcutaneous tissue, with a variable infiltration of eosinophils. Peripheral eosinophilia, poly or monoclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate can be seen. Clinical features begin acutely, with local edema and a painful and symmetrical stiffening of the limbs, progressing rapidly to fibrosis, which can limit joint movements. Some cases have a history of strenuous physical exercise or trauma. The diagnosis is confirmed by a deep skin biopsy. Glucocorticoids in high doses is the treatment of choice. We report a typical eosinophilic fasciitis case with peripheral eosinophilia and dramatic response to pulse therapy with methylprednisolone.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Federal da Lagoa - Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil.
authors.forename: Elisa Baranski
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Lamback
authors.affiliation: Hospital Regional da Asa Norte (HRAN) - Brasília (DF), Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Simões Seabra
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Resende
authors.affiliation: Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS) - Brasília (DF), Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiara Cristina Rocha
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lenzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D005121:Extremities / Q000473:pathology; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone