Search

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a systemic autoimmune disease that manifests with fibrosing inflammation of the fascia and the surrounding skin, sometimes even muscle tissue is involved. Clinically, the disease manifests as rigid indurations or sclerotization of the skin that may resemble systemic sclerosis. In laboratory tests, elevated levels of ESR, increased C-reactive protein in serum and marked eosinophilia dominate. Autoantibodies are usually negative. Inflammation of the fascia can be best viewed by magnetic resonance imaging, and the diagnosis is confirmed by histological examination. The therapy includes the administration of glucocorticoids. In refractory forms, the combination of glucocorticoids with immunosuppressive agents (methotrexate, etc.) is used. A beneficial effect of infliximab has been described as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]