Wells' syndrome: a clinical and histopathologic review of seven cases

Int J Dermatol. 2003 Jan;42(1):62-7. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2003.01705.x.

Abstract

Wells' syndrome, or eosinophilic cellulitis, is characterized clinically by an acute dermatitis resembling cellulitis, which evolves into violaceous plaques that resolve spontaneously without scarring. The histopathologic features are dynamic, starting with dermal edema and infiltration of eosinophils, the development of "flame figures," and finishing with the appearance of phagocytic histiocytes. We present the clinical and histopathologic features of seven cases of eosinophilic cellulitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Cellulitis / diagnosis
  • Cellulitis / drug therapy
  • Cellulitis / pathology*
  • Eosinophilia / diagnosis
  • Eosinophilia / drug therapy
  • Eosinophilia / pathology*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Infant
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Syndrome
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Prednisone