An autopsy case of malignant lymphoma with Lyell's syndrome

Skin rash in the intensive care unit: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or a rare manifestation of a hidden cutaneous malignancy: A case report

Skin rashes are infrequently encountered in the intensive care units, either as a result or as a cause of admission. The entities of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) form a spectrum of desquamating skin diseases that have multiple etiologies, the most common being drug-related reactions; very rarely, the cause may be cutaneous malignancies. We herein present a unique case of a 54-year-old male patient with psoriasis treated with methotrexate, who presented with a cellulitis-like clinical picture, then developed a severe progressive systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and progressed clinically to SJS, then TEN even after discontinuing the antibiotics and methotrexate. A skin biopsy demonstrated an aggressive and rapidly-progressing T-cell lymphoma. The present case highlights the necessity of skin biopsy when encountering SJS and TEN in the ICU in order to identify potentially treatable/controllable causes. Although it appeared reasonable to correlate TEN solely to medications, the skin biopsies clearly demonstrated an aggressive T-cell skin lymphoma. In a patient with a better general condition it may have been helpful to treat this malignancy. TEN is a life-threatening condition and skin biopsy is the cornerstone of diagnosis, despite the presence of multiple risk factors and the typical physical findings of a drug-induced reaction.

[Acute onset Hodgkin's disease following Lyell's syndrome]

BACKGROUND

In most cases, toxic epidermal necrolysis is a drug-induced reaction. Other causes such as lymphomas have also been suspected. We report herein a new association of toxic epidermal necrolysis and Hodgkin's disease in a male patient.

CASE REPORTS

A 62-year-old man consulted for erythroderma, scalded skin and mucous erosions involving the oral, nasal and genital areas. Nikolsky's sign was present. Cutaneous biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of toxic epidermal necrolysis. Our patient acknowledged intake of fexofenadine 48 hours before the eruption. He also developed enlarged lymph nodes whose histopathological examination revealed Hodgkin's disease. Exploration of cytolytic hepatitis disclosed replicating chronic viral B hepatitis. The skin disorder quickly improved and our patient underwent CHOP chemotherapy.

DISCUSSION

Association of toxic epidermal necrolysis and lymphoproliferative disorders has been reported. Development of toxic epidermal necrolysis is normally related to administration of antineoplastic drugs. However, lymphomas may be diagnosed after the onset of toxic epidermal necrolysis in the absence of drug intake, pointing to a possible aetiological role of haematological disease in the development of toxic epidermal necrolysis.

A practical guide to diagnose lesser-known immediate and delayed contrast media-induced adverse cutaneous reactions

The terms "immediate" and "delayed" adverse reactions induced by contrast media (CM) refer to the reactions' onset but do not provide substantial information concerning the clinical manifestation, the potential risk factors, the treatment modalities, or prevention. Because a variety of different reactions caused by different pathophysiological mechanisms may arise immediately or be delayed after CM injection, and because these need different management, the aim of the present paper is to present the clinical features and to exactly characterize lesser-known cutaneous reactions. A thorough knowledge of the clinical features, their adequate treatment, and, possibly, the subsequent diagnostic procedure for preventing recurrence after reexposure to CM would improve patient management.