Stevens-Johnson syndrome/TEN induced by lamotrigine in a patient with a cerebral cavernous malformation: a case report

Abstract

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare but serious cutaneous reactions characterized by epidermal and mucocutaneous detachment, most often drug-induced. SJS and TEN are considered the opposite extremes of the same spectrum of disease, where the percentage of skin involvement is 30% in TEN; the in-between range is called a SJS/TEN overlap. We present the case of a 64-year-old patient who was treated with lamotrigine, an anti-epileptic drug, and developed SJS/TEN. After being hospitalized and recovering for three days due to the worsening of the clinical presentation, he was transferred to a burn center. Making an early diagnosis and identifying the indicated drug is extremely important to set the appropriate treatment and reduce mortality. Advanced supportive care is required.

Keywords

• Lamotrigine
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• toxic epidermal necrolysis
• cutaneous adverse reactions
• drug reactions