Primary Cutaneous Neutrophilic Disorders

Abstract

The ‘classical neutrophilic dermatoses’ comprise a spectrum of disorders characterised by rash and neutrophilia. The defining histopathological finding is of a sterile neutrophilic infiltrate. Differentiation from cutaneous infection is essential to diagnosis. Triggers including drugs, infections, and malignant processes, and underlying systemic disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, account for the majority of cases; thorough investigation should be undertaken to exclude these. Steroid-responsiveness is an almost universal finding. We describe these disorders in detail and discuss the many rare presentations and appropriate management.

Keywords

• cutaneous neutrophilic disorders
• neutrophilic dermatoses
• sweet’s syndrome
• pyoderma gangrenosum
• neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands