Sweet's syndrome following surgery: cutaneous trauma as a possible aetiological co-factor in neutrophilic dermatoses.

Abstract

A 47-year-old man presented with an acute, cutaneous eruption of exquisitely painful papules at the operative site 4 weeks after a right tibial osteotomy. Initially this was managed as a postoperative wound infection; however the exacerbation and spread of the cutaneous eruption prompted further investigation. Histopathology and clinical findings were consistent with the development of Sweet's syndrome and resolution was obtained after the initiation of dapsone. We propose that surgery may produce an acute inflammatory response in a similar manner to pathergy reactions, which play an aetiological role in other neutrophilic dermatoses, such as pyoderma gangrenosum. We conclude that there may be greater overlap between these neutrophilic dermatoses than previously appreciated.

• Authors: Rashi Minocha, Deshan F Sebaratnam, James Yj Choi
• Journal: The Australasian journal of dermatology (Australas J Dermatol) Vol. 56 Issue 3 Pg. e74-6 (Aug 2015) ISSN: 1440-0960 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 24611758 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2014 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Topics

• Humans
• Leg Dermatoses (etiology, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osteotomy (adverse effects)
• Postoperative Complications (etiology, pathology)
• Sweet Syndrome (etiology, pathology)
• Tibia