The fasciitis-panniculitis syndrome: clinical spectrum and response to cimetidine.

Abstract

The term fasciitis-panniculitis syndrome (FPS) is proposed as a novel compilation encompassing several disorders, common to which is subcutaneous induration caused by cicatrizing fasciitis as well as septal and lobular panniculitis and perimysial fibrosis. Included herein are Shulman's eosinophilic fasciitis, morphea profunda, lupus profundus, venous lipodermatosclerosis, toxic oil syndrome, altered tryptophane-related eosinophilic myositis, graft-versus-host reaction, and fasciitis reactive to subjacent basal cell carcinoma. FPS should be differentiated from scleroderma, which primarily affects the dermal structures and in which arterioles are injured. In contrast, vasculopathy of the subcutaneous medium-sized veins accompanies the hypodermal lesions of FPS. The importance of recognizing and grouping these disorders lies in their different histopathology, characterization as reactive phenomena, enhanced responsiveness to treatment, and better prognosis than scleroderma. In view of the excellent prognosis of FPS, steroid treatment is not warranted. Long-term therapy with cimetidine appears to benefit the majority of patients.

• Authors: J E Naschitz, D Yeshurun, E Zuckerman, I Rosner, I Shajrawi, I Missellevitch, J H Boss
• Journal: Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism (Semin Arthritis Rheum) Vol. 21 Issue 4 Pg. 211-20 (Feb 1992) ISSN: 0049-0172 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1570516 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Cimetidine

Topics

• Cimetidine (therapeutic use)
• Eosinophilia
• Fasciitis (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Panniculitis (drug therapy)
• Syndrome