Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis — Do Any Current Treatments Prevent Deaths?

In a small group, IVIG provided better-than-predicted survival.

The effectiveness of current treatment agents for toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), a rare, often fatal disease, is controversial. Do current treatments — systemic glucocorticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin, or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) — save lives? To find out, British researchers reviewed 21 consecutive cases of drug-induced TEN treated between 1995 and 2007. Eighteen patients had significant comorbid conditions, including autoimmune diseases, malignancy, and alcoholic liver disease. The most common etiologic drugs were antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and sulfonamides. The mean time to onset after drug commencement was 17 days (range, 2–41 days). Per the standardized treatment protocol, all patients were managed in burn un…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis — Do Any Current Treatments Prevent Deaths?

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Reviewing Author