Sweet's syndrome: an update and review

Sweet's syndrome, or acute neutrophilic dermatosis, is an unusual dermatologic disorder that may serve as a marker of leukemia or lymphoma, other malignancy or another serious systemic disorder. It is characterized by the sudden eruption of tender discrete erythematous nodules or plaques which are sometimes associated with fever, neutrophilic leukocytosis, and a dense dermal infiltrate of mature neutrophils. It may occur as a hypersensitivity reaction with cytokines playing a pivotal role. It may remit after the treatment of an underlying cancer or discontinuation of an offending pharmacologic agent, although it con also resolve spontaneously without therapeutic intervention. The gold standard of treatment is with systemic corticosteroids; however, potassium iodide, colchicine and other therapeutic agents have been utilized successfully.