Stevens Johnson syndrome-Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Overlap induced by sulfasalazine treatment: a case report.

INTRODUCTION

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening and severe adverse cutaneous drug reactions characterized by epidermal detachment presenting as blisters and areas of denuded skin. SJS, SJS-TEN overlap and TEN differ only by their extent of skin detachment.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report here the case of a young woman (33- year old) admitted to the dermatological unit for epidermal detachment (at 18% of the body surface area), blisters, red macular and papular lesions, developed 15 days after administration of sulfasalazine. Prior to this, she complained of fever and discomfort upon swallowing. Skin biopsy had shown epidermal necrosis compatible with Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. As the epidermal detachment was between 10% and 30%, she was diagnosed as a Stevens Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis overlap. The course was favorable 17 days after stopping the drug and starting a symptomatic treatment.

CONCLUSION

Practitioners and patients need to be aware of the initial clinical signs of severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions such as fever, influenza-like symptoms, dysphagia or burning eyes. Early discontinuation of medication remains the best way to improve prognosis of patients with Stevens Johnson's Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.