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Sweet's syndrome presenting as acute hand infection
Laura E O'Halloran1, Laura L Bennett, Peter C Grothaus
1Division of Plastic Surgery, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, Scott, Sherwood, and Brindley Foundation, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas, USA.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|August 5, 2005
Summary
Sweet's syndrome, an acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, can affect the hands. Early recognition is crucial as hand lesions require steroid treatment, not antibiotics or debridement.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Sweet's syndrome is an acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by neutrophilic skin infiltrates without infection or vasculitis.
- Lesions commonly appear on the face, trunk, and extremities, often mimicking infections.
- Hand involvement in Sweet's syndrome is less commonly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and characteristics of Sweet's syndrome involving the hands.
- To highlight the importance of considering Sweet's syndrome in the differential diagnosis of hand lesions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of electronic medical records from 1996 to the present.
- Identification of patients diagnosed with Sweet's syndrome.
- Specific analysis of patients with hand lesions.
Main Results:
- 103 patients with Sweet's syndrome were identified.
- 49 of these patients (47.6%) presented with hand lesions.
- Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes were analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Sweet's syndrome should be considered in the diagnosis of hand lesions.
- Hand lesions of Sweet's syndrome are unresponsive to antibiotics and debridement.
- Corticosteroid therapy is the recommended treatment for Sweet's syndrome affecting the hands.