Abstract
Eight cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) seen between 1984 and 1997 were reviewed. TEN is an uncommon drug-induced reaction whose prodromal symptoms, although consistently present, can be difficult to distinguish from the symptoms of the disease for which the drug was given (n=3). Early skin lesions were atypical nonedematous target lesions with irregular contours (n=4). Identification of the offending drug was difficult. Causality was rated as highly probable in only four patients, who had received trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole (n=1), phenobarbital (n=1), allopurinol and/or colchicine (n=1), or dapsone (n=1). Factors associated with a poor prognosis included older age, extensive epidermal separation, and delayed therapy.