Desarrollo de fascitis eosinofílica tras la ingesta de simvastatina

Eosinophilic fasciitis: unraveling the clinical tapestry of a rare case and review of literature

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) remains a diagnostic challenge due to its rarity and resemblance to scleroderma. This case report aims to provide a cohesive exploration of EF's clinical nuances, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and effective management. A 52-year-old male developed bilateral forearm and calf hardening, along with erythema, pruritus, and pain four months prior to the presentation in our Clinic. The symptoms initially debuted bilaterally in the forearms and progressed to involve the calves, distal arms, and thighs. Clinical examination revealed symmetrical plaques on forearms and calves, featuring erythematous, hyper, and hypopigmented elements extending proximally, a positive "groove sign" and a moderate difficulty in knee joint flexion. Despite these findings, the patient was generally in good condition, without any other notable clinical signs. Initial laboratory findings showed slightly increased percentual eosinophil levels, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and negative antinuclear and scleroderma specific antibodies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated enhanced fascial signal and thickening while the fascia-muscle biopsy revealed marked edema and inflammatory lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, consistent with the diagnosis of EF. The patient showed a favorable response to systemic corticosteroids. EF predominantly affects males aged 30 to 60 and is characterized by a sudden onset and unclear etiological factors. Differential diagnosis requires careful exclusion of scleroderma and other mimicking conditions. Diagnostic modalities such as skin-muscle biopsy and MRI reveal characteristic findings like inflammatory infiltrate and fascial thickening. Accurate diagnosis and differentiation from scleroderma are crucial, with early intervention involving glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents improving long-term outcomes.

Severe aplastic anemia associated with eosinophilic fasciitis: report of 4 cases and review of the literature

Diffuse eosinophilic fasciitis (Shulman disease) is a rare sclerodermiform syndrome that, in most cases, resolves spontaneously or after corticosteroid therapy. It has been associated with hematologic disorders, such as aplastic anemia. The clinical features and long-term outcomes of patients with eosinophilic fasciitis and associated aplastic anemia have been poorly described. We report the cases of 4 patients with eosinophilic fasciitis and associated severe aplastic anemia. For 3 of these patients, aplastic anemia was refractory to conventional immunosuppressive therapy with antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporine. One of the patients received rituximab as a second-line therapy with significant efficacy for both the skin and hematologic symptoms. To our knowledge, this report is the first to describe rituximab used to treat eosinophilic fasciitis with associated aplastic anemia. In a literature review, we identified 19 additional cases of eosinophilic fasciitis and aplastic anemia. Compared to patients with isolated eosinophilic fasciitis, patients with eosinophilic fasciitis and associated aplastic anemia were more likely to be men (70%) and older (mean age, 56 yr; range, 18-71 yr). Corticosteroid-containing regimens improved skin symptoms in 5 (42%) of 12 cases but were ineffective in the treatment of associated aplastic anemia in all but 1 case. Aplastic anemia was profound in 13 cases (57%) and was the cause of death in 8 cases (35%). Only 5 patients (22%) achieved long-term remission (allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: n = 2; cyclosporine-containing regimen: n = 2; high-dose corticosteroid-based regimen: n = 1).

Orthopedic considerations with eosinophilic fasciitis: a case report and literature review

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) or Shulman's disease is a very rare condition first described in 1974 by Dr. Shulman in patients with diffuse fasciitis and eosinophilia. Fewer than 300 cases have been reported worldwide in the past 35 years. The current understanding of the disease in the medical community relies only on a few large case series and multiple case reports. The proposed etiology, pathological mechanisms, and consensus for therapy are obscure or lacking. The presentation of the disease is variable, but certain signs and symptoms have been associated with EF. The extreme rarity of the disease, the large constellation of signs and symptoms, as well as the lack of knowledge about eosinophilic fasciitis and make this disease difficult to recognize and treat. Through the review of the literature, there is only one other case by Yamanishi where recurrent asthma has been seen to be associated with eosinophilic fasciitis. To the knowledge of the authors of this paper this patient represents the second recorded incident. The case described by the authors of this paper demonstrated an initial biopsy of mixed cell fasciitis including eosinophils, compared to the eosinophil-rich sample taken at a later date. This could be a unique aspect to the pathology of the disease not previously discovered. Similar scenarios were not noted in a review of the literature. A change in the pathological findings as shown in this case from non-eosinophil-rich sample to one rich in eosinophils is unique in a patient actively suffering from EF. The authors of this paper propose that an allergic reaction (at the patient's puncture site) occurred, which initially caused the left hand symptoms that led to the patient's first presentation to the hospital. This is a unique causative agent, not found in the review of the literature. Through a review of the literature and the presentation of this patient, the authors propose an underlying dysregulation of the immune system, leading to the initiation or synergistic perpetuation of EF. This is a unique outlook on the disease pathology, not explained much in the medical literature.