Stevens–Johnson Syndrome (SJS)/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)

  • Rare, life-threatening mucocutaneous reaction almost always drug-related (rarely due to infection or immunizations) with 25–50% mortality for TEN and much less for SJS
  • Presents with poorly demarcated dusky erythematous or purpuric macules, papules, patches, or plaques that subsequently result in flaccid bullae or frank epidermal detachment due to necrosis of the epidermis; often starts on the trunk and spreads to face, proximal upper extremities and neck; erythema with painful mucosal erosions/ulcerations involving genital, buccal, and ocular mucosa seen in most cases; ± Nikolsky sign (dermal-epidermal cleavage with tangential pressure on normal appearing skin), ± Asboe-Hansen sign (bullae extend laterally with pressure); ± palmoplantar involvement; ± respiratory and GI epithelial involvement
  • TEN > 30% BSA with skin detachment; SJS/TEN overlap with 10–30% involvement; SJS with < 10% BSA involvement
  • Offending drugs: antibiotics (sulfonamides, PCNs), allopurinol, anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin), barbiturates, NSAIDs, antiretrovirals
  • Poor outcome associated following (SCORTEN): age > 40, heart rate >120 bpm, BSA > 10% on day 1, ↑ serum urea >27 mg/dl, serum bicarbonate >20 mmol/l, ↑ glucose >250 mg/dl, underlying cancer or hematologic malignancy
  • Complications: symblepharon, synechiae, cutaneous scarring, eruptive nevi, phimosis, nail dystrophy, alopecia, blindness
  • Histology: full-thickness epidermal necrosis; early lesions with apoptotic keratinocytes
  • Treatment: remove offending drug, supportive treatment (electrolyte replacement, wound care, nutritional support, hydration) typically in ICU or burn unit

   
 
Table 7-13 Duration Before Onset of Drug Reaction
 ReactionTypical Onset of Eruption After Drug Ingestion
 
AGEP
Hours to 2 days
 
Phototoxic eruption
Hours to 7 days
 
Urticaria
Hours to 6 days
 
Lichenoid eruption
30–100 days
 
Fixed drug eruption
Up to 2 weeks with first exposure (<24 h in subsequent exposure)
 
DRESS
2–6 weeks (mean 3–4 weeks)
 
SJS/TEN
7–21 days (first 2 months for anticonvulsant)
 
Morbilliform reaction
7–21 days
 
LABD
24 h–2 weeks
 
Pemphigus vulgaris
Several weeks or months
    
 
   


Figure 7.4 A: Fixed drug eruption (Courtesy of Dr. Sophie M. Worobec) B: Fixed drug eruption (Courtesy of Dr. Paul Getz) C: Fixed drug eruption (Courtesy of Dr. Paul Getz) D: Fixed drug eruption (bullous) E: Acneiform eruption (due to EGFRI) F: Flagellate pigmentation (bleomycin) (Reprint from Burgdorf WH, Plewig G, Wolff HH, Landthaler M, eds. Braun-Falco’s Dermatology. 3rd ed. Heidelberg: Springer; 2009)
Figure 7.4
A: Fixed drug eruption
(Courtesy of Dr. Sophie M. Worobec)
B: Fixed drug eruption (Courtesy of Dr. Paul Getz)
C: Fixed drug eruption (Courtesy of Dr. Paul Getz)
D: Fixed drug eruption (bullous)
E: Acneiform eruption (due to EGFRI)
F: Flagellate pigmentation (bleomycin)
(Reprint from Burgdorf WH, Plewig G, Wolff HH,
Landthaler M, eds. Braun-Falco’s Dermatology. 3rd
ed. Heidelberg: Springer; 2009
)
 
Figure 7.5 A: Acneiform eruption (EGFRI) B: Hydroxyurea ulceration (Courtesy of Dr. Sophie M. Worobec) C: Nail hyperpigmentation (AZT) (Courtesy of Dr. Iris K. Aronson) D: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (Courtesy of Dr. Paul Getz)
Figure 7.5
A: Acneiform eruption (EGFRI)
B: Hydroxyurea ulceration
(Courtesy of Dr. Sophie M. Worobec)
C: Nail hyperpigmentation (AZT)
(Courtesy of Dr. Iris K. Aronson)
D: Toxic epidermal necrolysis
(Courtesy of Dr. Paul Getz)