Eosinophilic fasciitis is an idiopathic, fibrotic disorder with the histopathologic hallmark of fascial fibrosis.
Presentation is acute with painful, swollen extremities progressing to disabling cutaneous fibrosis.
Joint contractures, arthritis, neuropathy and myositis may be associated. The etiology is unknown, but aberrant immune responses may play a role as hypergammaglobulinemia and antinuclear antibodies are associated. In addition toxic, environmental or drug exposures have been implicated. Recent reports indicate that B. burgdorferi may be a possible etiologic agent in some cases. I, III and IV compared to adjacent dermal fibroblasts.