Eosinophilic fasciitis associated with myositis: Report of four cases and review of the literature

Pediatric eosinophilic fasciitis: similarities and differences with adult forms

The purpose of this study was to identify pediatric eosinophilic fasciitis, which is an extremely rare condition, in order to describe their clinical, paraclinical, and therapeutic characteristics. We made a call for observations via societies for pediatric rheumatology in France and surrounding countries and collected clinical and paraclinical data of the cases fulfilling the diagnostic criteria. Eight patients under 18 years of age with confirmed eosinophilic fasciitis followed between April 2004 and July 2022 in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain were included. The median age of onset of symptoms was 8.7 years (range 3 to 12.6). All patients had skin and joint involvement at diagnosis. Eosinophilia was present at diagnosis in 5/8 patients and 5/7 patients presented hypergammaglobulinemia. All the patients had an MRI, and in 6, we observed thickened fascia with a T2 hypersignal. Five patients had undergone a full-thickness biopsy showing a polymorphic lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate of the fascia in all and the presence of eosinophils in 4 of them. All the patients were treated with corticosteroids with variable regimens and all received at least an immunosuppressant. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the largest pediatric series of eosinophilic fasciitis. The clinical and paraclinical presentation seems similar to that of adults except for a form that appears to be distinguished with isolated joint contractures, and hypergammaglobulinemia which appears to be more frequent in children. Dermatological and pathological expertise and MRI are key elements of the diagnosis. The most consensual treatment includes physiotherapy, prolonged corticosteroid therapy, and methotrexate as first-line therapy. What is Known • Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare condition, especially in children with approximately 60 reported pediatric cases. • Some pediatric specificities tend to emerge from some reports. What is New • Possible isolated joints contractures and more frequent hypergammaglobulinemia seem to characterize pediatric eosinophilic fasciitis in comparison with adult forms. • The most frequently used first-line therapy combines physiotherapy, corticosteroids and methrotrexate.

[Eosinophilic fasciitis: From pathophysiology to therapeutics]

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by painful edema and induration of the limbs and trunk, likely associated with hypereosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia. EF causes arthralgia and range of motion limitation, leading to significant functional impairment and poor quality of life. Since its description by Shulman in 1974, over 300 cases have been reported. We present here a review of the latest diagnostic, pathophysiological and therapeutic developments in this disease. Magnetic resonance imaging appears useful to guide diagnosis and biopsy. Diagnosis is based on a deep skin biopsy involving the fascia, which will reveal edema, sclerofibrosis of the muscular fascia and subcutaneous tissue, and an inflammatory infiltrate sometimes composed of eosinophilic polynuclear cells. EF may occur in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and the diagnosis should be raised in case of cutaneous sclerosis in these patients. The pathophysiology of the disease remains poorly understood, and its management lacks randomized, controlled, blinded trials. First-line treatment consists in oral corticosteroid therapy, sometimes combined with an immunosuppressant, mainly methotrexate. A better understanding of the pathophysiology has opened new therapeutic perspectives and clarified the role of targeted therapies in the management of EF, such as interleukin-6 inhibitors, whose efficacy has been reported in several cases.

Diffuse fasciitis with eosinophilia in boys: a case-based review

Diffuse fasciitis with eosinophilia (EF) is a rare condition classified as a part of the connective tissue disorders. The clinical presentation of this condition can be diverse, however the main symptoms include symmetrical swelling and hardening of distal parts of limbs accompanied by peripheral eosinophilia. The diagnostic criteria are not specified. In inconclusions cases Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and skin to muscle biopsy may be useful. The pathogenesis and ethiology remain unknown, but extensive physical exertion, certain infectious factors, such as Borrelia burgdorferi, or medications may serve as a trigger. EF affects equally women and men, mainly in their middle age, however the disease can occur at any age. The standard therapy contents gluccocorticosteroids. As a second-line treatment, methotrexate is usually chosen. In this article we compare world reports of EF in paediatric patients with the cases of two adolescent male patients recently hospitalized in the Department of Paediatric Rheumatology.

Focal Eosinophilic Myositis Affecting the Orbicularis Muscle: Clinical and Image Aspects

Focal eosinophilic myositis (FEM) is a rare disease that is even more uncommon in affecting the periocular area. The authors are reporting the first case of FEM occurring in the lower eyelid of a 45-year-old Caucasian female who presented with localized painful area of glossy induration and peau d'orange skin lesion. Magnetic resonance image shows significant hyperintense thickening of the pre-septal orbicularis muscle region on T2-weighted images. Incisional biopsy of the induration revealed marked fibrinoid degeneration of the orbicularis muscle and adjacent fascia, mixed cellular infiltration of lymphocytes and eosinophils and a predominant CD8+ lymphocytic infiltrates in the immunohistochemical study. The final diagnosis was FEM. Oral prednisolone improved symptoms and the lesions disappeared, with no recrudescence in a one year follow-up.