Sweet's syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis) is characterised by painful erythematous plaques with dermal neutrophilic infiltrate. The condition most commonly associated with Sweet's syndrome is:

• A Upper respiratory tract infection (Streptococcal)
• B Acute myeloid leukaemia ✓
• C Ulcerative colitis
• D Rheumatoid arthritis

Explanation

Although Sweet's syndrome can follow upper respiratory infections (classic idiopathic form), the paraneoplastic variant is most frequently associated with haematological malignancies—particularly acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Approximately 20% of cases are malignancy-associated. AML must be actively excluded when Sweet's syndrome presents with atypical features, treatment refractoriness, or in older patients. Sweet's may also precede diagnosis, relapse, or recurrence of AML, making it an important 'internal alarm' sign.

Reference: Neena Khanna Illustrated Synopsis of Dermatology & STD, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.