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Sweet Syndrome — RACP Adult Medicine MCQ

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ModerateDermatologySweet SyndromeRACP Adult Medicine

A 50-year-old man presents with recurrent fevers, skin nodules, and arthritis. Biopsy of a skin nodule shows neutrophilic infiltration without vasculitis. He has myelodysplastic syndrome. What dermatological diagnosis is associated with haematological malignancy?

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Correct answer: A — Drug eruption

Sweet syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis) presents with fever, painful erythematous papules/plaques (often on upper extremities and face), and neutrophilic infiltration of the dermis without vasculitis on biopsy. It is associated with haematological malignancies (MDS, AML – malignancy-associated Sweet syndrome in ~20%), infections, IBD, pregnancy, and drugs. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids produces rapid, dramatic improvement. When associated with MDS/AML, it may herald disease progression or relapse.

Reference: eTG – 2025 – Dermatology; eTG – 2025 – Haematology