dermatologic disorders
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)
Symptoms and Signs of SJS and TEN
Within 1 to 3 weeks after the start of the offending drug, patients develop a prodrome of malaise, fever, headache, cough, and keratoconjunctivitis. Macules, often in a target configuration, then appear suddenly, usually on the face, neck, and upper trunk. These macules simultaneously appear elsewhere on the body, coalesce into large flaccid bullae, and slough over a period of 1 to 3 days. Nails and eyebrows may be lost along with epithelium. The palms and soles may be involved. Skin, mucosal, and eye pain are common. In some cases, diffuse erythema is the first skin abnormality of toxic epidermal necrolysis. In severe cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis, large sheets of epithelium slide off the entire body at pressure points (Nikolsky sign), exposing weepy, painful, and erythematous skin. Painful oral crusts and erosions, keratoconjunctivitis, and genital problems (eg, urethritis, phimosis, vaginal synechiae) accompany skin sloughing in up to 90% of cases. Bronchial epithelium may also slough, causing cough, dyspnea, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and hypoxemia. Glomerulonephritis and hepatitis may develop. 