Synonym(s)
HistoryThis section has been translated automatically.
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Rare, inflammatory systemic disease (?) of unclear etiology, whose (clinically uncharacteristic) skin infestation with recurrent, itching or burning, deep red solid plaques is the leading clinical symptom. Initially the clinical picture may remind of erysipelas (fever in 1/4 of the cases).
Recurrent course is possible. Later phases are more reminiscent of morphea or mycosis fungoides.
The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of its histological peculiarity (histoeosinophilia with flame figures). Eosinophilic infiltrates of internal organs (eosinophilic pneumonia, pleuritis, pericarditis) are possible but rather rare.
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EtiopathogenesisThis section has been translated automatically.
Unexplained; there is increasing evidence that it is not an entity but a histopathological pattern of response to various diseases. stimuli. Pathogenetically, it is based on a tissue reaction to the release of "eosinophil major basic protein" (MBP) with the involvement of leukotrienes.
In individual cases, insect bites, haematological systemic diseases such as leukaemias, lymphomas or solid tumors (described in breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma) are discussed as triggers.
In children, associations with atopias (atopic eczema) have been described; further after vaccinations.
In adulthood, (eosinophilia-inducing) drugs can also be a trigger (see also casuistry). NSAIDs, antibiotics, TNF-alpha-blockers, thyroid drugs have been described as triggering agents.
ManifestationThis section has been translated automatically.
Children (often with signs of atopy) 4-10 years
Adults: 40-60 years
Clinical featuresThis section has been translated automatically.
Biphasic course of disease. Acute onset.
- Early stage: First unspecific, but mostly pronounced pruritus, possibly combined with burning; within a few days formation of circumscribed, mostly large-area, sharply defined erythema, dolent swellings and doughy to firm large-area plaques. The surface of the plaques may have an orange peel-like texture (see figure). Blistering or bubble formation is rare.
- Fatigue, tiredness and arthralgias can accompany this. The initial stdium can resemble acute erysipelas.
- Late stage: Granulomatous dermatitis with eosinophilia. Plaques that persist for weeks and become increasingly firm, doughy, firm consistency; surface smooth, possibly formation of livid-grey, morphea-like indurations, also strongly itchy prurigo-like papules or nodes. Progression in stages, so that several stages can exist side by side.
- Associated symptoms: Facial paralysis possible. Other systemic involvement is rare.
LaboratoryThis section has been translated automatically.
HistologyThis section has been translated automatically.
Focally dense, perivascularly and interstitially stored infiltrates, almost exclusively consisting of eosinophilic and (few) neutrophilic granulocytes, which may also be stored around adnexa. Focal, polygonally limited, eosinophilic flame figures in the dermis.
Notice! "Flame figures are formed by coating collagenous fibres with eosinophilic granules. Circumscript collagen necrosis, eosinophilocytoclasia, granulomatous reaction.
Accentuated around post-capillary venules |
Capillaries recessed |
perivascular leukocytoclasia |
Damage to endothelial cells |
Fibrin in/around vessel walls |
Perivascular extravasation of erythrocytes |
Edema in the papillary dermis |
Collagen degeneration |
Eosinophil infiltrates with flame figures, palisade granulomas |
No plasma cells or fibrosclerosis |
Differential diagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.
Clinical:
Histological:
- Churg-Strauss syndrome (sign of vasculitis)
- Arthropod reaction (wedge-shaped eosinophilic infiltrate)
External therapyThis section has been translated automatically.
Radiation therapyThis section has been translated automatically.
Internal therapyThis section has been translated automatically.
- Glucocorticoids such as prednisolone (e.g. Decortin H) initial 100 mg/day, slow dose reduction depending on skin findings, passagere maintenance dose with 5 mg/day p.o. (dosage below the Cushing's threshold). Additional stomach protection with e.g. Riopan Gel 3 times/day 1 btl.
- In the case of recurrent disease, the combination of systemic glucocorticodes with DADPS (e.g. Dapson Fatol) has proven to be effective, starting with 100 mg/day DADPS p.o. Rapid dose reduction within the next few weeks to a maintenance dose of 50 mg/day p.o. according to the skin findings.
Progression/forecastThis section has been translated automatically.
Untreated, spontaneous remission occurs after several weeks to months. Chronic recurrent course over many months is possible. Patients with Wells syndrome may develop signs of eosinophilic systemic vasculitis ( e.g. eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis).
Case report(s)This section has been translated automatically.
A 57-year-old female patient reported on intensively itchy, blurred fibrously bordered, high red, moderately doughy-consistent, 10x8cm large, surface smooth plaques on the left thigh, which had been present for 1-2 days and had appeared for the first time. Individual satelite-like papules and plaques were localized in the immediate vicinity of the primary focus. No fever or other AZ disorders. Laboratory findings were leukocytosis (11,000 leukocytes/ml), with distinct eosinophilia (18%) and slightly increased inflammatory parameters. Because of a known but not progressive breast cancer, the patient took tamoxifen.
Histological examination revealed: Focal dense perivascular and interstitial infiltrates almost exclusively of eosinophilic and (few) neutrophilic granulocytes. Detection of eosinophilic flame figures in the dermis.
Therapy: Rapid remission was observed with the use of topical class III glucocorticoids. In the following 2 months 2 relapses occurred in loco, which responded to topical therapy. The blood eosinophilia persisted in unchanged level.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Afsahi V et al (2003) Wells syndrome. Cutis 72: 209-212
- Brehmer-Andersson E, Kaaman T, Skog E, Frithz A (1986) The histopathogenesis of the flame figure in Wells Syndrome based of five cases. Acta Derm Venerol (Stockh) 66: 213-219
- Brun J et al (2015) Groupe de Recherche de la Société française de dermatologie pédiatrique. Wells Syndrome in children and atopy: retrospective study of 11 cases and review of the literature. Ann Dermatol Venereol doi: 10.1016/j.annder.2015.02.017
- Fujii K et al (2003) Eosinophilic cellulitis as a cutaneous manifestation of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. J Am Acad Dermatol 49: 1174-1177
- Heelan K et al (2013) Wells syndrome (eosinophilic cellulitis): Proposed diagnostic criteria and a literature review of the drug-induced variant. J Dermatol Case Rep 7:113-120
- Long H et al (2015) Eosinophilic Skin Diseases: A Comprehensive Review. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol PubMed PMID: 25876839.
Rajpara A et al (2014) Recurrent paraneoplastic wells syndrome in a patient with metastatic renal cell cancer. Dermatol Online J 20. pii: 13030/qt35w8r1g3
Ratzinger G et al. (2015) The Vasculitis Wheel-an algorithmic approach to cutaneous vasculitis. JDDG 1092-1118
- Sinno H et al (2012) Diagnosis and management of eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells' syndrome): A case series and literature review. Can J Plast Surgery 20:91-97
- Wells GC (1971) Recurrent granulomatous dermatitis with eosinophilia. Trans St Johns Hosp Dermatol Soc 57: 46-56
- Wells GC, Smith NP (1979) Eosinophilic cellulitis. Br J Dermatol 100: 101-109
Incoming links (11)
Betamethasone valerate emulsion hydrophilic 0,025/0,05 or 0,1 % (nrf 11.47.); Dermatitis, granulomatous, recurrent with eosinophilia; Dermatitis, granulomatous with eosinophilia; Eosinophilia and skin; Eosinophilic cellulite; Eosinophil infiltrate of the skin; Erythema anulare centrifugum; Hypereosinophilic dermatitis; Sweet syndrome; Urticaria vasculitis; ... Show allOutgoing links (15)
Betamethasone valerate emulsion hydrophilic 0,025/0,05 or 0,1 % (nrf 11.47.); Circumscripts of scleroderma (overview); Cushing threshold; Dadps; Dermatitis herpetiformis; Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis; Erysipelas; Glucocorticosteroids; Insect bites (overview); Prednisolone; ... Show allDisclaimer
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