[Sweet syndrome presenting as orbital cellulitis].

BACKGROUND

A case of Sweet syndrome mimicking orbital cellulitis is reported.

METHODS

A 17-year-old girl presented with painful eyelid swelling, limited ocular movement in the right eye, and an increased white cell count. The patient was initially diagnosed as having infectious orbital cellulitis, but her symptoms did not improve with administration of intravenous carbanpenem and cefzon. Systemic examination revealed erythema of the extremities, and blood tests showed elevated C-reactive protein. These findings are consistent with a diagnosis of Sweet syndrome, and the patient was treated with 30 mg of oral prednisone. The eyelid swelling and erythema of the extremities decreased one day after the initiation of corticosteroid therapy. Skin biopsy showed infiltration of neutrophils and histiocytes in the dermis, confirming the diagnosis of Sweet syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Sweet syndrome with eyelid and orbital involvement may mimic infectious orbital cellulitis.