[Eosinophilic fasciitis with aplastic anemia and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Review of the literature and report of a typical example]

Abstract

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF), described for the first time in 1974 by Shulman, is characterized by induration and inflammation of the fascia of the extremities. The disorder is associated with peripheral blood eosinophilia, hypergammaglobulinemia and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In most patients the clinical and laboratory features improve following administration of systemic corticosteroids. Since 1978 several patients with EF and various hematologic disorders have been described. In this report we present a female patient aged 62 exhibiting, besides symptoms indicative of EF, features of Hashimoto thyroiditis and aplastic anemia. In the review of the literature we compare 209 patients with EF including 15 cases with additional hematologic disorder.