MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Eosinophilic fasciitis

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Eosinophilic fasciitis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Superficial anterior muscles

Definition Return to top

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a syndrome characterized by tenderness and swelling of the extremities caused by inflammation of the fascia and muscles.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

The cause of eosinophilic fasciitis is unknown. There is an infiltration of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, into the affected fascia and muscles. Eosinophils are associated with allergic-type reactions, but their specific function is largely unknown. The arms, legs, trunk, and face may be affected by joint contractures, muscle weakness, and changes in the overlying skin. The syndrome in some cases appears to be precipitated by strenuous physical activity. Any age group may be affected, but most people are between 30 and 60 years old.

Symptoms Return to top

Tenderness and swelling of the arms and legs (occasionally including joints)
Thickened skin with puckered appearance
Joint contractures
Muscle weakness
Bone pain or tenderness
Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Weakness in one or both hands
- Numbness or tingling in one or both hands
- Pain in one or both hands
- Inability to make a fist with one or both hands
- Dry, shiny nails and skin of the hands

Signs and tests Return to top

Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Hypergammaglobulinemia
Muscle biopsy, including fascia tissue
Skin biopsy, including fascia tissue

Treatment Return to top

Treatment with corticosteroid medications provides relief of the symptoms, especially when it is started early in the disease course.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Most people have a resolution of this illness within 3 to 5 years. Some recurrences of the illness or persistent disease have been noted.

Complications Return to top

Arthritis is a rare complication of eisinophilic fasciitis.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop.

Prevention Return to top

There is no known prevention, because the cause is unknown.

Update Date: 10/24/2003

Updated by: Stanford Peng, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.