Sweet Syndrome Imitating Cutaneous Cryptococcal Disease

Abstract

Cryptococcoid Sweet syndrome is a rare histologic variant of the neutrophilic dermatosis presenting clinically with skin lesions typical of classical Sweet syndrome but with yeast-like structures suggestive of Cryptococcus on histopathology. Histochemical stains for fungus and cultures are negative whereas staining for myeloperoxidase is positive. We present 2 cases of cryptococcoid Sweet syndrome with atypical skin manifestations, including hemorrhagic bullae and plaques, and provide a brief review of the literature. Clinicians should be aware that this variant of Sweet syndrome can present with uncommon clinical findings and has histopathologic findings suggestive of Cryptococcus species.