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Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Models to Investigate the Epithelial Barrier in Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Published on: May 10, 2024
Eosinophilic fasciitis (Shulman disease).
1Paris Diderot (Paris VII) University, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint-Louis Lariboisière Fernand Widal Hospital Group, Paris, France.
Best Practice & Research. Clinical Rheumatology
|October 9, 2012
Summary
Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare connective tissue disease. Diagnosis involves skin changes and fascia inflammation, often aided by MRI, with corticosteroids as the primary treatment.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Dermatology
- Connective Tissue Diseases
Background:
- Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare connective tissue disease.
- Characterized by symmetrical, painful swelling, skin induration, and thickening.
- Involves inflammation of the fascia with lymphocytes and eosinophils.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the key diagnostic features of eosinophilic fasciitis.
- To highlight imaging modalities useful in EF diagnosis.
- To outline current therapeutic approaches for EF.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria for EF.
- Emphasis on histopathological findings of fascia.
- Discussion of diagnostic utility of muscle MRI in acute EF.
- Differential diagnosis considerations including EMS, HES, and scleroderma.
Main Results:
- Diagnosis relies on skin/subcutaneous abnormalities and thickened fascia with inflammatory infiltration.
- Peripheral eosinophilia is common but not essential for diagnosis.
- Muscle MRI can show fascial signal intensity and enhancement in acute phases.
- Differential diagnoses include EMS, HES, systemic sclerosis, and T-cell lymphomas.
Conclusions:
- EF diagnosis requires characteristic clinical and histopathological findings.
- Muscle MRI is a valuable tool for assessing acute EF.
- Corticosteroids are the primary treatment, often combined with immunosuppressants like methotrexate for refractory cases.
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