Two unusual cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis

Successful Use of Cyclosporin A for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in Three Children

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are medical emergencies. Mainstays of treatment include removal of the offending agent, supportive care, and wound care. The use of immunosuppressive agents such as corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is controversial. Some case reports and small studies report the successful use of cyclosporin A (CsA) for SJS/TEN in halting disease progression, fostering reepithelialization, and reducing mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To report on the efficacy of cyclosporine A in the treatment of SJS/TEN in three pediatric patients.

METHODS

We describe three pediatric patients seen at a tertiary care hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, diagnosed with SJS/TEN confirmed by skin biopsy who were successfully treated with CsA with improvements seen in time to cessation of disease progression or new lesion formation, reepithelialization, and duration of hospital stay.

RESULTS

The average time cessation of disease progression or new lesion formation after CsA administration was 2.2 days (range 1.5-3 days) and average time to remission or reepithelialization was 13 days (range 10-15 days). The average length of hospital stay was 11.7 days (range 4-19 days).

CONCLUSIONS

We describe three pediatric patients treated successfully with CsA and provide evidence for the use of cyclosporine in children with SJS/TEN. These results further support previous observations that CsA use for SJS/TEN produces consistently favorable outcomes. The results in this case series are limited by their observational nature. Additional trials are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CsA use in children.

Cutaneous adverse reactions of amiodarone

Dermatological complications of amiodarone are commonly encountered problems in therapy. The incidence in the population of patients with prolonged use of amiodarone reaches nearly 75% according to various sources. Nevertheless, they are often misdiagnosed or overlooked. The aim of this review is to present the current state of knowledge about skin changes induced by amiodarone, including phototoxic and photoallergic reactions, as well as hyperpigmentation. In most cases, the adverse effects are reversible and disappear after discontinuation of the drug. Although the dermatological complications usually do not influence the outcome of the therapy and rarely cause discontinuation of treatment, they have a great impact on patient quality of life.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome: a review

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this review are to summarize the definitions, causes, and clinical course as well as the current understanding of the genetic background, mechanism of disease, and therapy of toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed was searched using the terms toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug toxicity, drug interaction, and skin diseases.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome are acute inflammatory skin reactions. The onset is usually triggered by infections of the upper respiratory tract or by preceding medication, among which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, and anticonvulsants are the most common triggers. Initially the diseases present with unspecific symptoms, followed by more or less extensive blistering and shedding of the skin. Complete death of the epidermis leads to sloughing similar to that seen in large burns. Toxic epidermal necrolysis is the most severe form of drug-induced skin reaction and includes denudation of >30% of total body surface area. Stevens-Johnson syndrome affects <10%, whereas involvement of 10%-30% of body surface area is called Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap. Besides the skin, mucous membranes such as oral, genital, anal, nasal, and conjunctival mucosa are frequently involved in toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Toxic epidermal necrolysis is associated with a significant mortality of 30%-50% and long-term sequelae. Treatment includes early admission to a burn unit, where treatment with precise fluid, electrolyte, protein, and energy supplementation, moderate mechanical ventilation, and expert wound care can be provided. Specific treatment with immunosuppressive drugs or immunoglobulins did not show an improved outcome in most studies and remains controversial. The mechanism of disease is not completely understood, but immunologic mechanisms, cytotoxic reactions, and delayed hypersensitivity seem to be involved.

CONCLUSION

Profound knowledge of exfoliative skin diseases is needed to improve therapy and outcome of these life-threatening illnesses.

Erythema multiforme and related disorders

Erythema multiforme (EM) and related disorders comprise a group of mucocutaneous disorders characterized by variable degrees of mucosal and cutaneous blistering and ulceration that occasionally can give rise to systemic upset and possibly compromise life. The clinical classification of these disorders has often been variable, thus making definitive diagnosis sometimes difficult. Despite being often caused by, or at least associated with, infection or drug therapy, the pathogenic mechanisms of these disorders remain unclear, and as a consequence, there are no evidence-based, reliably effective therapies. The present article reviews aspects of EM and related disorders of relevance to oral medicine clinical practice and highlights the associated potential etiologic agents, pathogenic mechanisms and therapies.

Pathogenesis and recent therapeutic trends in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis

OBJECTIVE

To review the current pathophysiologic mechanisms and recent therapeutic trends in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

DATA SOURCES

A MEDLINE search for SJS and TEN in combination with Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), cytotoxic T cells, intravenous immunoglobulin, and cyclosporine for articles published in English during 1966 to 2006.

STUDY SELECTION

Information was derived from original research articles and reviews published in peer-reviewed journals.

RESULTS

The hallmark of SJS and TEN is epidermal cell apoptosis, which may be mediated through keratinocyte Fas-FasL interaction or through cytotoxic T-cell release of perforin and granzyme B. Whereas systemic corticosteroid therapy showed contradictory results, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and cyclosporine have shown promising outcomes. IVIG contains anti-Fas antibodies that can abrogate apoptosis when preincubated with keratinocytes. Most studies on IVIG in SJS and TEN reported improvement in arresting disease progression and reduction in time to skin healing. Because of variations among studies, the findings cannot be optimally compared. In general, mortality varied from 0% to 12% in studies that supported the use of IVIG and 25% to 41.7% in those that did not demonstrate a beneficial effect. Cyclosporine inhibits CD8 activation and thus may reduce epidermal destruction. Relatively few case reports and 1 case series have been published regarding the use of cyclosporine in SJS and TEN. In general, cyclosporine was associated with a significant improvement in time to disease arrest and to complete reepithelization, with no reported fatalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Both IVIG and cyclosporine have been associated with enhanced healing and better survival through inhibition of apoptosis. Multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trials using a standardized design are needed to validate these findings.

Severe toxic epidermal necrolysis precipitated by amphetamine use

A 48-year-old man presented with a maculopapular truncal rash 9 days following intravenous amphetamine use. He subsequently developed widespread bullae over his trunk and upper limbs. Treatment was initially commenced with intravenous hydrocortisone. A diagnosis of toxic epidermal necrolysis was made and the treatment was changed to intravenous immunoglobulin at a lower dose than requested. At the height of the reaction, there was 90% body surface area involvement with tri-mucosal involvement. His response to the intravenous immunoglobulin was poor and was complicated by infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gradual re-epithelialization took place over the next 6 weeks.

Bull's-eye cutaneous infarct of zygomycosis: A bedside diagnosis confirmed by touch preparation

We report an immunocompromised woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who developed cutaneous zygomycosis at the site of an arterial line. The initial lesion resembled a bulls-eye. Bull's-eye lesions of zygomycosis have been reported twice before. Recognition of this sign may allow the dermatologist to make a rapid presumptive diagnosis and initiate treatment for this life-threatening infection.