Case report

Unusual presentation of eosinophilic fasciitis: two case reports and a review of the literature

Ramazan Danis¹ , Sami Akbulut² , Abdullah Altintas³ , Sehmus Ozmen¹ and Cihan Akgul Ozmen⁴

¹  Department of Nephrology, Diyarbakir Education and Research Hospital, 21400, Diyarbakir, Turkey

²  Department of Surgery, Diyarbakir Education and Research Hospital, 21400, Diyarbakir, Turkey

³  Department of Hematology, Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine, 21380, Diyarbakir, Turkey

⁴  Department of Radiology, Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine, 21380, Diyarbakir, Turkey

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Journal of Medical Case Reports 2010, 4:46doi:10.1186/1752-1947-4-46

Published:	8 February 2010

Abstract

Introduction

Eosinophilic fasciitis is an uncommon disorder with unknown etiology and a poorly understood pathogenesis. We present the cases of two patients with eosinophilic fasciitis with unusual presentation, and describe the clinical characteristics and laboratory findings related to them.

Case presentation

The first case involves a 29-year-old Turkish man admitted with pain, edema and induration of his right-upper and left-lower limbs. Unilateral edema and stiffness with prominent pretibial edema was noted upon physical examination. A high eosinophil count was found on the peripheral smear. The second case involves a 63-year-old Turkish man who had pain, edema, erythema, and itching on his upper and lower extremities, which developed after strenuous physical activity. He had cervical lymphadenopathy and polyarthritis upon physical examination, and rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibody upon laboratory examination.

Conclusion

Eosinophilic fasciitis can present with various symptoms. When patients exhibit eosinophilia, arthralgia and myalgia, eosinophilic fasciitis should be considered as a possible diagnosis.