Functional and Cutaneous Treatment Outcomes With Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Eosinophilic Fasciitis: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare subtype of deep morphea with an elevated risk of functional impairment. No treatment algorithm has been established for adults with EF refractory to traditional corticosteroid or immunomodulatory treatments. Research on cutaneous and functional outcomes of alternative therapies, such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), remains scarce.  Objective: To describe the functional and cutaneous outcomes associated with IVIG in adults with treatment-refractory EF at a tertiary referral center. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 18 consecutive patients with EF identified through a billing code search seen within the UCSF Department of Dermatology between 2015 and 2022.  Results: Seven patients (41.2%) underwent at least one course of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) during the study period. Of 6 patients with available follow-up data, 5 patients (83.3%) achieved both sustained cutaneous and functional improvement. In the IVIG cohort, 1 patient (16.7%) achieved complete response with relapse, 4 (66.7%) were partial responders, and 1 (16.7%) was a non-responder who required treatment with mepolizumab. CONCLUSION: Adverse effects of IVIG included headaches in 1 patient (14.3%) and rash in 2 patients (28.6%). There were no reported veno-occlusive or thromboembolic events associated with IVIG.  J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(4):8017.    doi:10.36849/JDD.8017e.

Injerto dermo-epidérmico como tratamiento del siliconoma de extremidad inferior / Dermoepidermal graft as treatment of lower extremity siliconoma

Resumen Introducción A pesar de la evidencia sobre los malos resultados y riesgos del uso de inyecciones subcutáneas de silicona para mejorar el contorno corporal, esta técnica sigue siendo utilizada por personas no calificadas. Caso clínico Paciente de 56 años quien consultó por cuadro de celulitis en pierna izquierda. Se obtuvo el antecedente de intervención con silicona en cara, dorso de las manos, glúteos y piernas el año 2000. El cuadro progresó con múltiples abscesos en la totalidad de la pierna y sepsis. Se realizaron aseos quirúrgicos exponiendo planos fascial y muscular, se utilizó terapia local con sistemas de presión negativa y posterior injerto dermo-epidérmico (IDE). El manejo multidisciplinario se realizó en unidades críticas. Los resultados del manejo fueron satisfactorios, salvando la extremidad con cobertura total, logrando el alta luego de 4 meses. Conclusión A pesar de conocerse los peligros de la inyección de silicona, este sigue siendo un procedimiento frecuente. En nuestra paciente se manifestó como fascitis de la pierna, requiriendo tratamiento quirúrgico agresivo. Conocer esta entidad, su diagnóstico y tratamiento es fundamental para tratar pacientes con complicaciones graves.

Introduction Despite the evidence of poor performance and risks of using silicone subcutaneous injections to improve body contour, this technique is still used by untrained people, generating an iatrogenic entity with serious complications. Case report 56 year old female presented left lower extremity cellulitis. A history of previous intervention with silicone injections in face, back of hands, buttocks and legs in year 2000 was obtained. An inflammatory process progressed locally and systemically with multiple abscesses, subcutaneous thickness in the entire leg and sepsis, requiring multiple surgical procedures, reaching fascial and muscle planes exposition of the left leg. The patient underwent local therapy with negative pressure systems and subsequent dermoepidermal graft. Multidisciplinary management was performed on a critical unit. The results were satisfactory, preserving the limb with full coverage. She was discharged after four months of inpatient management. Conclusion Despite knowing the risks of silicone injection (industrial or medical) it remains a common procedure. In our patient she presented as leg fasciitis, requiring aggressive surgical treatment. Knowing this entity, its diagnosis and treatment is essential to treat patients with serious complications.