Sweet's syndrome revealing relapsing polychondritis

Int J Dermatol. 2004 Oct;43(10):720-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02198.x.

Abstract

Sweet's syndrome is extremely rare in relapsing polychondritis. We report a rare case of Sweet's syndrome revealing relapsing polychondritis. A 77-year-old man presented with fever, associated with respiratory symptoms and non pruritic, painful, erythematous, papules and plaques mainly on the arms and legs. Skin biopsy of the arm found a neutrophilic dermal infiltrate consistent with Sweet's syndrome. A month and a half after admission, the patient presented with ear chondritis and dysphonia. Biopsy of the ear cartilage found a significant perichondral inflammatory cells infiltrate. The diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis was established and a steroid treatment was instituted with a complete regression of the cutaneous signs and chondritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Ear, External
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / complications
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / diagnosis*
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / pathology
  • Sweet Syndrome / complications
  • Sweet Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Sweet Syndrome / pathology