Bullous Sweet syndrome as a presentation of chronic myelogenous leukaemia

Abstract

A woman in her 40s presented with a 3-month-long history of fever and tender erythematous bullous skin lesions not responsive to antibiotics. There had been no previous gastrointestinal, respiratory or urinary infection, nor did she have any history of autoimmune disease, drug reaction or vasculitis.Histological evaluation of skin biopsy showed diffuse dense neutrophilic infiltrates located in dermis diagnostic of Sweet syndrome. Haematological investigations showed leucocytosis with circulating immature cells, which on further investigations with bone marrow biopsy, were evident of chronic myelogenous leukaemia in the accelerated phase. Sweet syndrome was the presenting characteristic of chronic myelogenous leukaemia in this case, which is a rare association. Investigating unusual skin lesions can aid in the suspicion of underlying cancer, allowing for prompt action.