Treatment issues in the care of patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis.

A review of current medical literature is presented to summarize treatment issues of ongoing controversy in the care of patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis. Terminology for the disease spectrum may be confusing and is discussed. Steroid treatment recommendations from the allergy and immunology literature are contrasted with burn center findings for optimal treatment. Issues of when to stop offending trigger medications, the value of a diagnostic biopsy, timing of hospitalization and the importance of prospective organ system monitoring are addressed.