Subject(s)
Bacteremia/diagnosis , Bacteremia/microbiology , Exanthema/microbiology , IgA Vasculitis/diagnosis , IgA Vasculitis/microbiology , Meningococcal Infections/diagnosis , Neisseria meningitidis , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Bacteremia/drug therapy , Ceftriaxone/administration & dosage , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , IgA Vasculitis/drug therapy , Male , Meningococcal Infections/drug therapy , Meningococcal Infections/microbiology , Neisseria meningitidis/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Lupus erythematosus (LE) panniculitis (LEP) is a form of chronic cutaneous LE most often characterized by erythematous subcutaneous nodules. The histopathology of LEP may be distinctive, allowing a diagnosis even in the absence of any other LE features. Lymphocytic infiltration of the panniculus is termed lymphocytic lobular panniculitis. This entity has been reported in both LEP and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. We describe a 67-year-old woman who presented with multiple dermal and subcutaneous nodules on her legs and hips. Biopsy specimens of roughly 15 lesions were interpreted as being diagnostic of LEP, however, with each subsequent biopsy specimen more atypical cells were observed. The patient responded only to moderate doses of oral prednisone, and failed intralesional triamcinolone acetonide, oral immunosuppressive agents, oral antimalarial agents, and oral thalidomide. Three years after the onset of her disease, ulcerated plaques and nodules developed. At this time a T-cell receptor gene rearrangement was present and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma was diagnosed. Despite multiple doses of chemotherapy she died approximately 1 year after diagnosis. Patients with apparent LEP that have atypical lymphocytes in their biopsy specimens should be followed up closely for the development of T-cell malignancy.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis/pathology , Lymphoma, T-Cell/pathology , Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus/pathology , Panniculitis/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Aged , Biopsy , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Sweet syndrome is characterized by painful, erythematous plaques of rapid onset accompanied by fever. Absence of vasculitis is a histologic criterion for diagnosis. However, recent reports suggest that vasculitis should not exclude the diagnosis. We hypothesized that vasculitis can occur in Sweet syndrome and that it represents an epiphenomenon rather than a primary immune-mediated process. DESIGN: Skin biopsy specimens from patients with Sweet syndrome were reviewed to determine the prevalence of vasculitis. The clinicopathologic features of cases with vasculitis were evaluated for statistically significant associations. Specimens with vasculitis underwent immunofluorescence staining. SETTING: University department of dermatology, university hospital, and private practice. PATIENTS: Medical records and biopsy specimens of 21 patients meeting diagnostic criteria for Sweet syndrome were reviewed. INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: The prevalence of vasculitis was 29% (6 of 21 patients). There was a significant association of vasculitis with lesions of longer duration (P =.02). Vascular immunoglobulin and complement could not be demonstrated in cases of Sweet syndrome with vasculitis. CONCLUSIONS: Vasculitis is not a primary, immune-mediated process in Sweet syndrome but occurs secondary to noxious products released from neutrophils. Blood vessels in lesions of longer duration are more likely to develop vasculitis than those of shorter duration because of prolonged exposure to noxious metabolites. Vasculitis does not exclude a diagnosis of Sweet syndrome.
