[Eosynophilic fasciitis. Favorable response to treatment with cyclosporin a]

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a disease of unknown aetiology characterized by cutaneous swelling and indurations. The disease affects predominantly the extremities and usually show an elevation of serum immunoglobulins, and eosinophilia.

Evaluation of the efficacy of cyclosporine A as a therapeutic alternative in patients with EF refractory to steroids.

We report 3 patients with clinical, laboratory and pathologic characteristics of EF who did not show a satisfactory response to steroids treatment. All patients disclosed scleroderma-like signs with orange skin, groove sign, and indurations of the affected extremities associated to peipheral eosinophilia and increased creatine-kinase. Epidermis histological findings were normal and intense linfocitary inflammation of the fascia was observed in all patients' biopsies. All patients were treated for average of 8 months with prednisone 30-50 mg daily with an insufficient clinical response.

Patients started on cyclosporine A 5-7mg/kg/day, showing a fast improvement (2 months). The treatment induces a clinical remission that permits to reduce or even stops the cyclosporine A treatment during follow-up.

It seems that cyclosporine A may be a effective therapeutic alternative in patients with EF refractory to steroids.