SWEETS-SYNDROME - SYSTEMIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AND ASSOCIATED DISORDERS

Objective: To characterize the findings associated with acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome [SS]) and the response of SS to treatment. Design: We retrospectively reviewed 48 cases of SS enco untered at the Mayo Clinic between 1980 and 1992. Material and Methods : Histopathologic specimens and medical records were studied to determ ine initial manifestations, patterns of involvement, systemic signs an d symptoms (including mucosal, musculoskeletal, hematologic, pulmonary , hepatic, and renal findings), and conditions associated with SS. Res ults: In patients with SS, the typical manifestations are the acute on set of tender, erythematous or violaceous nodules or plaques in associ ation with fever, leukocytosis, and dermal neutrophilia. In our study group, the cutaneous lesions most frequently involved the arms and leg s. Of our 48 patients, 26 (54%) had a hematopoietic, plasma cell, or m alignant disorder, and many of these patients had associated anemia, e specially the male patients. No single laboratory finding specifically indicated an association with serious systemic disease. Most patients mere treated with a tapering dose of prednisone, which yielded a good response. Conclusion: Clinical acumen and appropriate laboratory test s are the main requirements for detection of hematologic disorders, in ternal malignant diseases, or other systemic conditions associated wit h SS.