%0 Journal Article
%T Ankylosing spondylitis associated with SweetĄŻs syndrome: a case report
%A Mansouri Samia
%A Abourazzak Fatima Ezzahra
%A Aradoini Nassira
%A Bettioui Asmae
%J Journal of Medical Case Reports
%D 2013
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1752-1947-7-16
%X Introduction SweetĄŻs syndrome is an acute neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by a diffuse dermal infiltrate of mature neutrophils. In most cases, it occurs as an isolated phenomenon (idiopathic SweetĄŻs syndrome) but it can be drug induced or associated with a variety of underlying diseases such as infections, neoplasms, and chronic inflammatory diseases. The association between SweetĄŻs syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis is rare. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We report a new case in which we describe an outbreak of acute neutrophilic dermatosis revealing ankylosing spondylitis. Case presentation A 33-year-old Moroccan man presented with large-joint polyarthralgia, inflammatory pain in his buttocks and lower lumbar spine, fever and skin lesions. On examination, the patient had a low-grade fever, six tender but not swollen joints, limitation of motion of the lumbar spine, and painful erythematous maculopapules over his face, neck, and hands. Laboratory tests showed hyperleukocytosis, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. The immunological tests and infectious disease markers were negative. Investigations for an underlying neoplastic disease remained negative. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a bilateral sacroiliitis. Skin biopsy findings were consistent with SweetĄŻs syndrome. The diagnosis of SweetĄŻs syndrome associated with ankylosing spondylitis was established. Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs were started and the patient showed rapid clinical and biological improvement. Conclusion Three observations of the association between SweetĄŻs syndrome and spondylarthropathy have been reported in the literature. The cause of this association remains unclear. Some hypotheses have been developed, but further studies are needed to confirm or refute them.
%K Ankylosing spondylitis
%K SweetĄŻs syndrome
%U http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/7/1/16