Protean Neurologic Manifestations of Two Rare Dermatologic Disorders: Sweet Disease and Localized Craniofacial Scleroderma

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To describe diverse neurologic and neuroradiologic presentations of two rare, immunologically mediated skin conditions: Sweet disease and localized scleroderma (morphea).

Recent Findings

Core syndromes of neuro-Sweet disease (NSD) are steroid responsiveness, recurrent meningitis, and encephalitis. Focal neurologic, neuro-vascular, and neuro-ophthalmologic syndromes have been reported recently in NSD. A variety of steroid-sparing treatments and biologics have been used for relapsing NSD. Localized craniofacial scleroderma is associated with seizures, headaches, and, less commonly, focal deficits and cognitive decline. Immunosuppressive therapy may be required in patients with disease progression; some refractory cases have responded to IL-6 inhibition.

Summary

Our review provides an up-to-date reference for neurologists faced with a patient with a history or skin findings consistent with Sweet disease or localized scleroderma. We hope that it will stimulate collaborative studies aimed at unraveling the pathogenesis of these disorders, better characterization of their neurologic manifestations, and discovery of optimal therapeutic solutions.

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