American journal of diseases of children (1960)
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A 13-year-old boy with a three-year history of an illness characterized by stiff hands, arthralgias in the metacarpophalangeal joints, flexion contractures in all fingers, and thickened skin over his hands, arms, and thighs had an initial diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with dry synovitis. Eosinophilia and a deep-fascial biopsy led to a diagnosis of eosinophilic fasciitis. Prednisone therapy resulted in sustained subjective and objective improvement.
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We retrospectively surveyed records of 153 patients with croup or epiglottitis. Thirty-four children required intubation of the trachea to relieve upper airway obstruction. ⋯ A PaO2 below 50 mm Hg is observed in 38% and pneumothorax in 24% of all reported cases. Supplemental oxygen, positive end-expiratory pressure, mechanical ventilation, and chest tube drainage have prevented death despite these life-threatening complications.