Eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells' syndrome): a new case description

Background Wells' syndrome was first described by Wells in 1971 as a recurrent granulomatous dermatitis with eosinophilia and was later named eosinophilic cellulitis. It is defined by the following criteria: (i) sudden onset of annular or circinate erythematous-edematous patches that rapidly evolve to morphea-like blue-slate-colored plaques; (ii) a histological picture usually characterized by the presence of 'flame figures'; (iii) non-constant blood hypereosinophilia. Methods We describe the case of a 49-year-old woman who reported the sudden appearance of a few hard, pasty, oval-shaped, reddish-violet, moderately itchy, erythematous-edematous patches on both arms about 2 months before our observation. Results The remote pathologic history showed that the woman have been submitted to quadrantectomy with lymph node dissection followed by cobalt therapy for breast cancer. Based on the pharmacological history, intake of drugs was excluded. Routine blood chemistry and instrumental tests did not show any alteration, nor did assays of the main autoantibodies, complement, circulating immunocomplexes, or tumor markers. Conclusions Histologically the picture was compatible with the diagnosis of Eosinophilic cellulitis. Following topical corticosteroid therapy the lesion healed rapidly. It relapsed 2 months later, and was again cured with the same topical treatment. No further relapses were observed in a 1 year follow-up. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.