Antibiotic-induced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis - A Case Report

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is severe cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction characterized by necrosis of the epidermis and detachment of the epidermis and dermis that usually occurs as an idiosyncratic reaction to certain drugs. We report the case of a patient admitted to our Intensive Care Unit after an above-the-knee amputation who developed toxic epidermal necrolysis, possibly resulting from antibiotics therapy. Therapy included a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin with gentle early debridement of necrotic skin areas followed by wound coverage with a synthetic cover (Aquacel Ag-(R)). This case report suggests that intensive wound management together with intravenous immunoglobulin might be beneficial in the treatment of patients with TEN.