[Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis--Sweet syndrome].

Since 1964 there are 65 women and 13 men with the typical features of Sweet syndrome reported. An additional case in a 40 year old man is the purpose of this review of the literature. The Sweet syndrome is mainly observed in the fourth and fifth decade of life and begins with typical symptoms of high temperatures, peripheral leucocytosis, with eminent red plaques showing bumpy surface. The histologic picture is not specific but characteristic. The onset of cutaneous eruption is preceded about 10 days by symptoms of influenza and infections of the upper respiratory tract. Sites of predilection are the surface of extremities, face, nape and superior trunk. Erythema nodosum like foci and acneiform lesions have been described. Histologically, there is a distinctive edema in the upper corium and perivascular infiltrates, consisting of polynuclear leucocytes with leucocytoclasia. The pathological process is interpreted as an immune complex disease, different from erythema exsudativum multiforme. There is reason to believe in an infectious allergic origin. During the acute state lesions may occur, provoked by unspecific trauma.