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Background Retiform hemangioendothelioma (RH) is a locally aggressive vascular tumor. Wide surgical excision with tumor-free margins is the standard treatment strategy. However, surgical excision is not an option for lesions near critical anatomical structures, such as those on the face. We report the case of a patient with retiform hemangioendothelioma that responded to non-surgical treatments. Methods We describe the case of a 72-year-old male patient with a retiform hemangioendothelioma on the face that responded to a combination of pulsed dye laser, local corticosteroid injection, and application of imiquimod cream. In addition, we reviewed past case reports of patients with retiform hemangioendothelioma. Results Thirty-five cases that describe the management of RH, including the present case, have been reported. Review of the cases indicate a relatively low disease-free survival rate in cases that underwent surgical excision as the initial therapy for retiform hemangioendothelioma. Conclusion Surgical excision might not be the best therapeutic option. Local control with conservative therapy is an acceptable strategy for lesions in anatomical regions including the face.

Background Sweet's syndrome with involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is rarely reported. Methods We describe a Japanese woman with Sweet's syndrome associated with acute-onset encephalitis and review literatures. Results Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed pleocytosis with lymphocytes predominant. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed increased signal intensity on T2-weighted scans in the left temporal lobe. To our knowledge, 22 cases of Sweet's syndrome associated with CNS involvement have been reported. The mean age is 47.6 years (n = 22). Sex distribution (male : female) is 12 : 10 (n = 22). The most common neurologic symptoms are convulsions, headaches, and disturbance of consciousness. CSF cell count is increased with lymphocytes predominant in 8 cases (n = 12). Certain (HLA) types (B54 and Cw1) may be characteristic findings in Sweet's syndrome accompanied with the CNS involvement in Japanese patients, as these were found in four previous cases similar to the present case. Conclusions Although Sweet's syndrome with neurologic manifestations is rarely reported, it may be needed to investigate neurologic manifestations.