Sweet's syndrome masquerading as facial cellulitis

Sweet's syndrome, or acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is a cutaneous condition that typically occurs as tender red plaques or nodules. However, atypical presentations may occur and, in our case, Sweet's syndrome masqueraded as facial cellulitis and soft tissue infections of the extremities in a sporotrichoid pattern. Despite treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, the cutaneous lesions progressed. Results of skin biopsy specimens of the facial plaque and a nodule on the right upper extremity were diagnostic of Sweet's syndrome. Simultaneous to diagnosis, the patient also was found to have acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).