Surgical Management of Eosinophilic Fasciitis of the Upper Extremity

Abstract

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare inflammatory disease associated with peripheral eosinophilia, hyper-gammaglobulinaemia and contractures of any joint in the upper extremity. Although conservative treatments are generally advocated, this study reports the results of surgical intervention. Four patients aged from 20 to 48 years underwent fasciectomy followed by oral administration of prednisolone. All presented with contractures of digits, wrist, or elbow due to eosinophilic fasciitis in the upper extremities. Despite one case that required a second operation for recurrence, all patients regained the range of motion of the affected joints a few weeks after surgery. The recovery was much sooner than in previously reported cases treated conservatively, suggesting that surgical management of eosinophilic fasciitis is effective in alleviating symptoms quickly and allows patients to resume activities of daily living sooner.