Synonym(s)
HistoryThis section has been translated automatically.
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Severe maximum variant of a drug reaction characterized by extensive detachment of the skin and mucous membranes, severe systemic concomitant symptoms and high mortality (20-50%). The risk of TEN is highest between the 4th and 28th day after initiation of drug therapy. The disease is considered a maximum variant of SJS syndrome ( Stevens-Johnson syndrome) with a minimum infestation of > 30% of the body surface.
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Occurrence/EpidemiologyThis section has been translated automatically.
- Incidence: About 0.15-0.18/100,000 inhabitants/year.
- More common in patients with manifest AIDS (incidence is 100/100,000 per year for those infected with HIV).
EtiopathogenesisThis section has been translated automatically.
- The pathogenesis is unknown. Clinical and histological similarities to severe cutaneous graft-versus-host reactions suggest a common pathogenesis. Evidence suggests that various drugs such as cotrimoxazole and other sulfonamides, antiepileptic drugs, allopurinol (probably the most common cause!), oxicam (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), psychotropic drugs, anticonvulsants (e.g. phenytoin and phenobarbital), serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. fluoxetine) trigger TEN.
- No evidence of increased risk has been demonstrated for widely used medications such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, thiazides, furosemide, sulfonylureas, and insulin.
- Vaccinations ( measles, mumps, rubella) were occasionally described in the literature as a trigger. For specific concomitant diseases such as HIV, collagenosis, tumor diseases, radiation therapy and acute infections within the last 4 weeks a significant risk could be calculated.
ManifestationThis section has been translated automatically.
- Predominantly women are affected (up to 10 times more frequently than men).
- The average age is 60-70 LJ.
- Children and young people are very rarely affected.
LocalizationThis section has been translated automatically.
Clinical featuresThis section has been translated automatically.
- Initially finely spotted, later confluent, large-area initially macular, subsequently maculopapular and finally vesicular exanthema. Furthermore: extensive epidermal detachment (epidermal necrolysis) with skin that can be removed like a towel.
- Early involvement of upper and lower eyelids with hemorrhagic encrusting erosions.
- Conjunctivitis with tendency to symblepharon formation.
- Mouth and genital mucosa: Inflammatory redness, erosions, ulcerations, haemorrhagic encrustation, possible adhesions.
- General: High fever, possibly somnolence, fatigue
- Frequently rapid intensive duty!
LaboratoryThis section has been translated automatically.
HistologyThis section has been translated automatically.
- Extensive necrolysis of the epidermis with intra- and subepidermal blister formation. Bladder contents are mostly hemorrhagic. Oedematized dermis, epitheliotropic round cell infiltrates and vasodilatation are also observed.
- Cryostat section: For a quick diagnosis a biopsy with a fresh blister cover, which is formed by the entire epidermis, is necessary.
Differential diagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.
- Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome: here, intraepidermal blister formation and therefore significantly reduced blister thickness. Typical is the absence of mucosal involvement.
- Erythema exsudativum multiforme (major forms)
- Paraneoplastic pemphigus.
Complication(s)This section has been translated automatically.
- Skin: scarring, pigmentation disorders, nail growth disorders ( Beau-Reilsche transverse furrows of the nails, nail loss). Diffuse toxic alopecia (usually reversible) (see Alopecia). Bacterial or viral infections of the skin. Risk of sepsis with development of shock and multiorgan failure (most frequent cause of death). Changes in the mucous membrane of the oropharynx, genitals or anal region.
- Eyes: initial mucopurulent inflammation, conjunctival necrosis (destruction of goblet cells, cornification), corneal ulcers. Later consequences are scarring with trichiasis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca or synechia.
- Kidneys: Tubular necrosis.
- Lungs: respiratory failure.
- Gastrointestinal tract: Bleeding.
- Blood: Leukopenia
- Loss of fluid, electrolytes and protein.
General therapyThis section has been translated automatically.
- Intensive care in appropriately equipped therapy units.
- Discontinuation of the medication in question.
- Isolation/protection against infection (set up airlock).
- Aseptic protective clothing: protective gowns, mouthguards, gloves for medical and nursing staff.
- Sufficient heat supply (exact temperature control).
- Ensure sufficient moisture content of the room air.
- Use special bed for decubitus prophylaxis and store on metal foil.
- If necessary, place a bladder catheter, urine and fluid balancing.
- Documentation of the collected findings (extent, severity on intensive care treatment sheets).
- If necessary, take swabs of the wound surfaces (culture with resistance behaviour; danger from Pseudomonas colonisation and other superinfections).
- Therapy of complications (sepsis, bleeding).
Internal therapyThis section has been translated automatically.
Glucocorticoids: The use of systemic glucocorticoids is controversially discussed. Some studies indicate a worse prognosis with high-dose glucocorticoid medication. Nevertheless, a short-term shock therapy is still recommended (1000-250-100-20 mg prednisolone on day 1 to 4 i.v.). Ulcer prophylaxis with ranitidine (e.g. Zantic) 150 mg/day.
Ciclosporin A: Controversially discussed so far, a large Spanish study (n=26 patients) demonstrated a significant reduction of the mortality risk compared to a group not treated with Ciclosporin A (IVIG therapy) (Gonzales-Herrada C et al. (2017).
IVIG: Initial 1.0 g/kg bw for 4 days and maintenance therapy of 0.5 g/kg bw (4-weekly rhythm) over several months in case of resistance to therapy of other regimes. Data: The efficiency of IVIG therapy is controversially discussed on the basis of evidence level IIA studies.
Antibiotics (only in case of superinfection): Antibiotic coverage with cephalosporins such as cefotaxime (e.g. claforan) 2 times/day 2 g i.v., if necessary in combination with gentamicin (e.g. refobacin) 240 mg/day i.v. daily i.v. Swabs taken on the wound surfaces and if necessary conversion of the antibiotic treatment according to the antibiogram.
Pain therapy: Morphine (e.g. MST Tbl.) 10-30 mg every 8 hours or opioids such as tramadol (Tramal) 100 mg every 4-6 hours (max. 400 mg/day).
- Fluid balancing: In case of severe courses, initiate fluid balancing and parenteral nutrition. Dosage scheme per day:
- Colloidal solution 1 ml/kg KG x KO.
- Electrolyte solution (physiological saline solution) 1 ml/kg KO.
On stabilization: transition to high-calorific liquid food (e.g. meritene). Later diet with passed food; no spices, no fruit acids.
Notice! Check intravenous accesses regularly (high risk of contamination)!
Remember! With glucocorticoid administration and therapy with Ciclosporin A, a bacterial cause of TEN (Staphylogenes Lyell Syndrome) must be excluded!
Progression/forecastThis section has been translated automatically.
Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.
Remember! Report to the Documentation Centre of Severe Skin Reactions, Dermatological Clinic of the University of Freiburg, Hauptstr. 7, 79104 Freiburg. Web: http://www.ukl.uni-freiburg.de/haut/dzh/homede.htm
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Bachot N et al (2001) Physiopathology and treatment of severe drug eruptions. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 1: 293-298
- Boujeau JC et al (1990) Toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell syndrome). Arch Dermatol 126: 37-42
- Campione E et al (2003) High-dose intraveous immunoglobulin for severe drug reactions: efficacy in toxic epidermal necrolysis. Acta Derm Venerol 83: 430-432
- González-Herrada C et al (2017) Cyclosporine Use in Epidermal Necrolysis Is Associated with an ImportantMortality
Reduction: Evidence from Three Different Approaches. J Invest Dermatol 137:2092-2100. - Halvey e t al (2008) Allopurinol is the most common cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in Europe in Israel. JAAD 58: 25-32
- Hanken et al (2010) Primary care and drug treatment of patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis. JDDG 8: 341-347
- Luther H, Kastner U, Altmeyer P (1999) Comment on the contribution by Lyell A (1956) Toxic epidermal necrolysis: An eruption resembling scaling of the skin. Br J Dermatol 68: 355-361
- Mockenhaupt M et al (2008) Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: assessment of medication risks with emphasis on recently marketed drugs. The EuroSCAR-study. J Invest Dermatol 128: 35-44
- Nassif A et al (2002) Drug specific cytotoxic T-cells in the skin lesions of a patient with toxic epidermal necrolysis. J Invest Dermatol 118: 728-733
- Prins C et al Treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins: multicenter retrospective analysis of 48 consecutive cases. Arch Dermatol 139: 26-32
- Roujeau JC et al (1990) Toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell syndrome). J Am Acad Dermatol 6: 1039-1062
- Schöpf E et al (1991) Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Arch Dermatol 127: 839-842
- Spornraft-Ragaller P et al (2007) Treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis. Experiences in nine patients considering intravenous immunoglobulins. skin 2: 62-68
- Trent JT et al (2003) Analysis of intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis using SCORTEN: The University of Miami Experience. Arch Dermatol 139: 39-43
- Wolff K et al (2003) Treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis: the uncertainty persists but the fog is dispersing. Arch Dermatol 139: 85-86
Incoming links (47)
Allopurinol; Anonychie acquired; Antibiotic allergy; Azithromycin; Calcium antagonists, side effects; Capecitabine; Cephalosporins; Dress; Epidermolysis; Etoposide; ... Show allOutgoing links (24)
Aids; Allopurinol; Alopecia (overview); Antibiogram; Beau-reilsche cross furrows of the nails; Biopsy; Ciclosporin a; Conjunctivitis; Epidermis; Erythema multiforme; ... Show allDisclaimer
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