The path to an Eosinophilic Fasciitis diagnosis can be long and complicated because of the rareness of this disease. Similar diseases such as scleroderma have to be excluded. The patient may be asked about insect bites, bacterial infection, recent operations or trauma, change of diet or unusual physical activity.
A physical examination evaluates the restrictions of movement and the presence of induration, edema, sclerosis, and the absence of Raynaud’s phenomenon (common with scleroderma, rare with EF). Then follow blood tests and typically some scans including CT, PET, MRI (with and without contrast).
This case study describes some of the difficulties in diagnosing EF:
https://www.archivesofrheumatology.org/full-text/376 (see Discussion)
The group studies emphasize the importance of a deep tissue biopsy for the definitive diagnosis:
2012 – Eosinophilic fasciitis: Lebeaux & Sène, Paris Diderot University, France [pdf]
2011 – Eosinophilic fasciitis: new insights … from a series of 34 patients, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France [pdf]
2008 – Eosinophilic fasciitis: report of 12 cases and review of the literature, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA [pdf]
1988 – Eosinophilic Fasciitis: Clinical Spectrum and Therapeutic Response in 52 Cases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA [vectorized pdf]
[updated: 2021-11-14]