Sweet's syndrome: A study of 16 cases and review of literature

Abstract

Background: Sweet's syndrome (SS) is a classical representative of neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by the abrupt onset of fever, erythematous tender plaques and nodules on exposed parts, and histopathological reaction in response to different external and internal stimuli. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical, epidemiological, histological features and therapeutic outcomes of SS. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of all patients diagnosed with SS over a 4-year period (2016–2020) was conducted. Results: Over a period of 4 years, a total number of cases of SS were 16. Female patients were predominant around 13 (81.25%), and male patients were 3 (18.75%). The most common site affected was face in 87.5% (14), followed by upper limb in 50% (8) and lower limb in 25% (4). Among the systemic manifestations, fever was there in all cases. The associated causes were infectious conditions in 6 (37.5%) cases, among which five cases were upper respiratory tract infection, hematological malignancy in three cases, one case with solid tumors, one case was associated with acquired cutis laxa (Marshall' s syndrome), one was drug induced (diclofenac sodium), one case was pregnancy associated, and other three cases were idiopathic. Conclusion: SS can be diagnosed based on clinical and laboratory findings. In all atypical and recurrent SS cases, thorough evaluation for malignancy is essential. Dapsone can be considered a concomitant therapy along with steroids and also a steroid-sparing agent.

Keywords

• marshall's syndrome
• non-hodgkin lymphoma
• sweet's syndrome