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An Bras Dermatol. 2011;86(4Supl1):S173-7.
173
▲
Sweet's Syndrome and relapsing polychondritis signal
myelodysplastic syndrome
Síndrome de Sweet e policondrite recidivante reveladores de síndrome
mielodisplásica
Filipa da Encarnação Roque Diamantino
1
Pedro Manuel Oliveira da Cunha Raimundo
2
Ana Isabel Pina Clemente Fidalgo
3
Abstract: The emergence of certain skin conditions belonging to the group of mucocutaneous parane-
oplastic syndromes may indicate the future appearance of a previously unknown malignancy. Sweet´s
Syndrome and relapsing polychondritis are included in this group. Sweet´s Syndrome and relapsing
polychondritis are very rarely found together in the same patient. This dual occurrence is more com-
monly found in cancer patients with associated hematological malignancies. We report the case of a 79-
year-old male with Sweet´s Syndrome and relapsing polychondritis, who was subsequently diagnosed
with a myelodysplastic syndrome.
Keywords: Polychondritis, relapsing; Sweet´s syndrome; Paraneoplastic syndromes
Resumo: Certas dermatoses, pertencentes ao grupo das síndromes paraneoplásicas mucocutâneas,
podem ser o prenúncio de uma neoplasia previamente não conhecida. Tanto a síndrome de Sweet como
a policondrite recidivante incluem-se neste grupo. A síndrome de Sweet e a PR são raramente encon-
tradas em um mesmo paciente. A presença de policondrite recidivante e síndrome de Sweet em um
mesmo paciente tem se revelado mais frequente em pacientes com neoplasias associadas, sobretudo
hematológicas. Relata-se o caso de paciente do sexo masculino, 79 anos, com síndrome de Sweet e poli-
condrite recidivante, em quem, subsequentemente, foi diagnosticada uma síndrome mielodisplásica.
Palavras-chave: Policondrite recidivante; Síndrome de Sweet; Síndromes paraneoplásicas
Received on 22.11.2010.
Approved by the Advisory Board and accepted for publication on 22.12.2010.
* Study undertaken at Dermatovenerology Department, Santo António Capuchin Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal.
Conflict of interest: None / Conflito de interesse: Nenhum
Financial funding: None / Suporte financeiro: Nenhum
1
MD, Resident in Dermatovenerology at the Santo António Capuchin Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal.
2
Internal Medicine Resident, St. Joseph´s Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal.
3
Specialist Doctor, Dermatology Department, Santo António Capuchin Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal.
©2011 by Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia
CASE REPORT
INTRODUCTION
Certain dermatoses in the group of paraneo-
plastic syndromes may herald the appearance of a pre-
viously unknown malignancy. A study of these may
contribute to its early detection and treatment.
Sweet’s Syndrome (SS), first described in 1964
by Robert Sweet, is a rare and acute febrile neu-
trophilic dermatosis, the pathogenesis of which is not
entirely clear. The syndrome is characterized by sud-
den onset of erythematous infiltrated papules or
plaques, located especially on the face, neck and
upper extremities and associated with fever and neu-
trophilic leukocytosis.
1
It can be classified in five
groups: idiopathic or classic, parainflammatory, para-
neoplastic, linked to pregnancy and secondary to
drugs. Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare multisys-
temic disease of unknown etiology, probably of an
immunologic nature, first described in 1923 by Jakch
Wartenhorst. RP is characterized by recurrent inflam-
mation and cartilage tissue destruction, including
nasal, auricular tissues and the upper airways.
2
An
increasing number of cases have been described as
being linked to malignancies, particularly myelodys-
An Bras Dermatol. 2011;86(4Supl1):S173-7.
plastic syndrome and, albeit less frequently, to solid
tumors or other hematologic malignancies.
3
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal
disorder of the hematopoiesis characterized by dys-
plastic bone marrow and peripheral cytopenia.
The report below describes the case of a
patient with Sweet's Syndrome and RP, who was sub-
sequently diagnosed with MDS.
CASE REPORT
79-year-old male white patient, monitored in
the Dermatology Department, suffering recurrent
episodes of sudden onset of erythematous, pseudo-
vesicular, circular plaques with slightly pink centers,
painful, varying in size from 0.5 to 3 cm, located on
the trunk, neck and upper limbs, always accompanied
by fever (37.5 to 38º C) (Figure 1). The review of sys-
tems was normal, with no evidence of organomegalies
or lymphodenomegalies. A skin biopsy showed edema
of the papillary dermis, a dense perivascular inflam-
matory infiltrate consisting predominantly of neu-
trophils, many with leukocitoclasia (Figure 2).
Histopathological findings were consistent with a
diagnosis of SS. The laboratory tests showed leukope-
nia (3400/µL) and an increased erythrocyte sedimen-
tation rate (50 mm/h). After steroid therapy was start-
ed (deflazacort 60 mg/day, with slow gradual with-
drawal), initial remission was observed, but the
lesions reappeared soon after suspension of therapy.
In order to evaluate the associated etiology the follow-
ing were performed: laboratory tests (liver, kidney
and thyroid function, tumor markers, viral serology,
ANA's, anti-DNA, anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anti-RNP, anti-SM),
bone marrow tests, upper GI endoscopy, colonoscopy,
simple chest X-rays, computerized axial tomography
of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, and abdominal,
prostate and thyroid gland ultrasound, which pro-
duced results within normal limits.
About 12 months after initial diagnosis of SS,
the patient complained of pain and swelling of the left
pinna. Physical examination revealed swelling, red-
ness and heat, except for the lobule (Figure 3A). An
auricular cartilage biopsy showed dense inflammatory
infiltrate in the subcutaneous cartilage and degenera-
tion of marginal chondrocytes consistent with chon-
dritis (Figures 3B, 3C and 3D). Concomitant episodes
of conjunctival injection (Figure 4) were diagnosed by
an ophthalmologist as bilateral peripheral superficial
corneal ulcers. The patient was medicated sympto-
matically.
The patient was monitored at the Dermatology
Clinic for 15 months. During this period he presented
with recurrent skin lesions consistent with SS, as well
as recurring episodes of inflammation in the eyes and
both ears. Received oral corticosteroids to deal with
the outbreaks, with complete remission of symptoms
until after completion of treatment. More recently the
patient has suffered weight loss and asthenia. Periodic
laboratory tests have detected non-megaloblastic
macrocytic anemia and neutropenia. Amyelogram and
bone marrow biopsy were done, with findings consis-
tent with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. The patient was
referred to the Hematology/Oncology Department.
DISCUSSION
Paraneoplastic dermatoses are non-neoplastic,
tumor-related visceral or hematologic skin disorders.
The possibility of predicting the coexistence of a neo-
FIGURE 1: Clinical manifestations of Sweet's Syndrome: erythema-
tous plaques with annular configuration and pseudovesiculation,
located on the back
FIGURE 2: A. Sweet's Syndrome (H&E x 40): Edema in the papillary
dermis and a dense perivascular inflammatory infiltrate; B. Infiltrate
composed of neutrophils with leukocitoclases (H&E x 400)
A
B
174 Diamantino F, Raimundo P, Fidalgo A
Sweet's Syndrome and relapsing polychondritis signal myelodysplastic syndrome 175
An Bras Dermatol. 2011;86(4Supl1):S173-7.
plasm from the study of mucocutaneous lesions with
certain characteristics arouses particular interest in
these dermatoses.
SS is related to cancer in 20% of cases, with 85%
of these linked to hematological disorders and 15% to
solid tumors. Association with MDS is common and
may signify a poor prognosis given the possibility of
conversion to acute myeloid leukemia.
The diagnosis of SS is based on clinical find-
ings, histology and laboratory tests, according to the
diagnostic criteria adapted by Su and Liu
1
(Table 1).
Our patient presented two major criteria (clinical
aspect of lesions and dense neutrophilic infiltrate in
the biopsy) and three minor criteria (fever, associated
sickness and response to corticosteroid therapy).
The paraneoplastic form of SS tends to present
more severe and atypical manifestations than the clas-
sic form. There is no predilection for either sex. The
skin lesions tend to be vesicular, bullous and some-
times necrotic and ulcerative. In addition to the usual
locations, the lesions also affect the lower limbs, trunk
and back. Systemic signs of neutrophilic leukocytosis
and fever may be absent, while clinical recurrences are
frequent.
4
Recurrent episodes of painful, well-demarcated
plaques, with pseudovesiculation, predominantly
located on the trunk, without neutrophilia, drew our
attention to a possible connection to underlying dis-
ease and we decided to monitor the patient closely.
MDS was diagnosed around two years after the onset
of the skin symptoms. The clinical and patient out-
comes reported confirm the data available in the liter-
ature. In a published review of 9 cases (all male
patients with atypical and recurrent skin lesions) MDS
was eventually diagnosed at all, 3.5 years (on average)
after onset of SS.
4
A B C
D
FIGURE 3: A. Left
pinna with hyper-
emia and edema in
the region cartilage,
not affecting earlobe:
B. Biopsy of cartilage
(H&E x 40); C.
Lymphoplasmacytic
inflammatory infil-
trate in the dermis
underlying the carti-
lage (H&E x 100); D.
Degeneration of mar-
ginal chondrocytes
(H&E x100)
Major criteria 1 - Abrupt onset of painful
erythematous plaques or nodules
2 - Dense neutrophilic exudate in the
biopsy
Minor criteria 1 - Fever with temperature over 38° C
2 - Association with hematologic
malignancy, inflammatory disease,
pregnancy, prior respiratory or
grastrointestinal infection
3 - Excellent response to treatment
with systemic steroids
4 - Abnormal lab values
CHART 1: Diagnostic criteria for Sweet's Syndrome - 2
major and 2 minor criteria required
FIGURE 4: Eye inflammation
Our patient was referred to the Oncology
Department for more aggressive treatment of MDS, in
the expectation of controlling the skin disease more
effectively.
The classic manifestation of RP is acute unilater-
al or bilateral auricular chondritis with the presence of
inflammatory signs sparing the earlobe, present in
39% of cases at diagnosis and manifested in 85% of
patients at some stage of the disease. Other frequent-
ly encountered clinical manifestations include nasal
cartilage alterations, arthritis, eye and tracheo-
bronchial tree symptoms. Approximately 30% of RP is
associated with an autoimmune or hematological dis-
ease.
2
The diagnosis of RP is mainly clinical, embody-
ing the criteria established by Damiani and Levine
2
(Table 2). The patient described had bilateral chondri-
tis of the pinna, superficial peripheral corneal ulcers
and ocular inflammation and compatible histopatho-
logic findings - all of which fitted the RP criteria. Eye
symptoms are the most common (present in 60% of
patients), with scleritis and episcleritis the most fre-
quently observed. In the literature we also found
cases associated with corneal ulcers, although these
are less common.
5
RP and SS are rarely found in the same patient.
Only 23 cases have been reported to date in the liter-
ature. Three of these cases concerned were from a
group of 48 Mayo Clinic patients with SS.
6
In a French
study involving 200 patients with RP, seven had SS.
7
In
a review of nine patients with SS and MDS, four of
them developed RP
4
.
Le Gal et al describe two cases of SS associated
with RP - one case associated with myelodysplasia and
the other preceding RP.
8
The other seven cases were
published separately. In these, SS preceded the
appearance of PR in two cases, occurred after its
appearance in four cases and was concomitant in one
case.
9-15
Twelve patients with SS and PR had associat-
ed neoplasia: MDS in 11 cases and bladder cancer in
one case.
Both SS and RP are included in the group of
mucocutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes associated
with hematologic malignancies. Our patient who was
diagnosed with SS and PR developed MDS. Although
uncommon, more than one paraneoplastic syndrome
has been described as affecting the same patient.
3
The
knowledge that both SS and RP could be the first signs
of progression to MDS should prompt clinicians seri-
ously to consider this hypothesis.
There has been some speculation in the literature
as to whether the association of SS and PR could be sim-
ply a coincidence in patients with hematologic malig-
nancies or whether both conditions might be etiological-
ly related.
13
For the moment, we await reports on a larg-
er number of cases documenting the occurrence of SS
and RP in patients with MDS before affirming that a
significant link indeed exists between them. ❑
176 Diamantino F, Raimundo P, Fidalgo A
An Bras Dermatol. 2011;86(4Supl1):S173-7.
1 - Chondritis of pinna
2 - Nonerosive seronegative inflammatory polyarthritis
3 - Nasal chondritis
4 - Eye inflammation
5 - Respiratory tract chondritis
6 - Cochlear and/or vestibular dysfunction
CHART 2: Diagnostic criteria for relapsing polychondri-
tis (McAdam et al consider that it is necessary to take
into account the presence of 3 or more of the 6 items
below; Damiani and Levine consider the need for one
McAdam et al criterion + confirmatory histology)
McAdam et al consideram necessária a presença de 3 ou mais
dos seguintes 6; Damiani e Levine: 1 critério de McAdam et al
+ histologia confirmatória
Sweet's Syndrome and relapsing polychondritis signal myelodysplastic syndrome 177
An Bras Dermatol. 2011;86(4Supl1):S173-7.
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MAILING ADDRESS / ENDEREÇO PARA CORRESPONDÊNCIA:
Filipa da Encarnação Roque Diamantino
Serviço de Dermatologia
Hospital de Santo António dos Capuchos
Alameda Santo António dos Capuchos
1150 - 314 Lisboa - Portugal
E-mail: filipadiamantino@hotmail.com
How to cite this article/Como citar este artigo: Diamantino F, Raimundo P, Fidalgo A. Sweet's Syndrome and
relapsing polychondritis signal myelodysplastic syndrome. An Bras Dermatol. 2011;86(4 Supl 1):S173-7.
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Severe septicaemia in a patient with polychondritis and Sweet’s syndrome after
initiation of treatment with infliximab. Ann Rheum Dis. 2003;62; 81-2.
13. Kawakami T, Kawase A, Takeuchi S, Yoshioka S, Fujimoto N, Tajima S, et al. Sweet
syndrome subsequent to relapsing polychondritis and myeloysplastic syndrome in
a Japanese patient. Acta Derm Venereol. 2008; 88: 517-9.
14. Fraisse T, Brunel AS, Arnaud E, Balducchi JP, Jourdan J, de Wazières B, et al.
Original presentation of relapsing polychondritis: four cases. Rev Med Interne.
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15. Vestergaard C, Soelvsten H, Ramsing M, Hansen ES, Deleuran M. Concomitant
Sweet’s syndrome and relapsing polychondritis. Acta Derm Venereol.
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