Document Detail


Death caused by toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell syndrome).
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20345799     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is characterized by fever, scalded appearance of the skin, and epidermolysis associated to blister formation and exfoliation, and it is caused by hypersensitivity reaction to a drug. The authors report two cases of death as a result of TEN; both referred to old aged women treated with a polytherapy including allopurinol. Both patients displayed erythematous skin lesions similar to scald burns and epidermolysis at the face, chest, and abdomen and died shortly after hospitalization. Autopsy findings and histological examinations revealed epidermal necrolysis and confirmed the clinical diagnosis. A strict time-correlation between allopurinol administration and symptoms was evidenced. Because of its iatrogenic origin, TEN often arises suspicions of medical liability; however, because of its unpredictable nature, the occurrence of this syndrome cannot be ascribed to the medical staff whose main task is the rapid diagnosis and the correct management.
Authors:
Francesco Ventura; Tony Fracasso; Andrea Leoncini; Raffaella Gentile; Francesco de Stefano
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article     Date:  2010-03-15
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of forensic sciences     Volume:  55     ISSN:  1556-4029     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Forensic Sci.     Publication Date:  2010 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-06-10     Completed Date:  2010-09-28     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0375370     Medline TA:  J Forensic Sci     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  839-41     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Legal Medicine, University of Genova, via De' Toni 12, 16132 Genova, Italy. francesco.ventura@unige.it
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged
Allopurinol / adverse effects
Epidermal Necrolysis, Toxic / diagnosis,  pathology*
Fatal Outcome
Female
Gout Suppressants / adverse effects
Humans
Multiple Organ Failure / etiology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Gout Suppressants; 315-30-0/Allopurinol

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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