FASCIITIS, PERIMYOSITIS, MYOSITIS, POLYMYOSITIS, AND EOSINOPHILIA

Several groups of cases of fasciitis and myositis with eosinophilia are reported. The common features are inflammation into fascia and/or perimysium, and/or muscle fibers; eosinophilia in blood and/or in muscle biopsy. The following classification of 24 cases is suggested: at one end of the spectrum are fasciitis with eosinophilia: diffuse fasciitis (Shulman syndrome): 10 cases (3 with hematological complications); 2 cases of diffuse fasciitis with muscle atrophy; 3 cases of restricted fasciitis. Relapsing perimyositis with eosinophilia belong to the same spectrum, either diffuse (5 cases) with myalgias, or localized (2 cases). Other cases are focal myositis or multiple myositis, polymyositis with eosinophilia. The relationship among these cases is discussed. There is a continuum among the different groups. The pathophysiology remains unknown. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.