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Lamotrigine-Induced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Treated With Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Amniotic Membranes
Rodrigo Schwartz, MD;
Esteban Avello, MD;
Francis Palisson, MD
Arch Dermatol. 2008;144(6):724-726.
INTRODUCTION
Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a life-threatening skin disease. Our case is an attempt to improve its outcome using a novel coadjuvant treatment plan.
REPORT OF A CASE
A 36-year-old Chilean woman with depressive disorder was prescribed treatment with lamotrigine starting at a dosage of 25 mg/d and increasing 25 mg per week. When she reached 75 mg/d at the third week, she presented with an acute abdominal skin eruption. She was evaluated in an emergency department and received 1 dose of sodium phosphate betamethasone and dexchlorpheniramine maleate, 5.3 mg, intravenously, which resulted in partial relief of symptoms for a few hours. The following day she presented with fever with a body temperature up to 38.5°C and a generalized erythematous maculopapular skin eruption, along with few bullae on friction-prone areas and erosions on her oral mucosa and lips. In the next hours, the eruption rapidly became bullous with extensive epidermal detachment affecting approximately 50% of the body surface area (Figure 1).
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Figure 1. Extensive epidermal detachment affecting approximately 50% of the body surface area.
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Initial laboratory workup showed anemia (hemoglobin level, 11 g/dL), leukopenia (3500/mm3), high band neutrophil count (47%), mild thrombocytopenia (121 000/mm3), high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (44 mm/h), and high C-reactive protein (16 mg/dL). Initial liver and kidney function tests revealed no abnormal findings. (To convert hemoglobin to grams per liter, multiply by 10.0; to convert C-reactive protein to nanomoles per liter, multiply by 9.524.)
The patient was admitted to an intensive care unit for supportive care with a diagnosis of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) at a dosage of 1 g/kg/d was initiated. An insufficient response was observed after 5 days of IVIG.
THERAPEUTIC CHALLENGE
Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a rare, life-threatening mucocutaneous disease with extensive epidermal detachment. In most cases it is drug related.1 One of the most important prognostic factors for its high mortality (15%-40%) is the extent of the epidermal detachment.2 Several treatment options have been tried for this severe hypersensitivity manifestation, including use of systemic corticosteroids, thalidomide, pentoxifylline, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, and IVIG, with different and controversial results.
SOLUTION
It was then decided to cover the areas of epidermal detachment with 4 fresh amniotic membranes (Figure 2), previously tested for human immunodeficiency virus, rapid plasma reagin, cytomegalovirus, Chagas disease, human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The same tests were performed in our patient, and findings were positive for HTLV-1 but not the other markers. The amniotic membranes were obtained at the time of a birth by cesarean delivery, rinsed with isotonic sodium chloride solution, and conserved for 12 hours before use in a saline medium with added penicillin. The amniotic membranes were placed under sterile conditions. The patient was kept in a prone position for 24 hours, until the amniotic membranes dried and consequently fixed to the skin. Subsequently she was turned over to a supine position and amniotic membranes were applied on the other side. She was intubated during the whole procedure, and IVIG was maintained concurrently with the application of the amniotic membranes. The findings from the physical examination and laboratory workup showed that she improved dramatically during the following 24 hours with a marked decrease in exudation from denudated areas and control of her pain. A complete reepithelization of the affected skin was observed 5 days after the membrane placement (Figure 3). We obtained a skin biopsy sample from an area with skin detachment on hospital day 1, before IVIG was started, which confirmed the diagnosis of TEN (Figure 4). We also obtained biopsy specimens from an amniotic membrane–covered area with underlying nondetached epidermis on hospital day 10 (5 days after the amnion placement), which showed a nonnecrotic epidermis covered by amniotic membrane remnants and serous exudate. The dermis had a scarce inflammatory infiltrate (Figure 5).
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Figure 2. Areas of epidermal detachment covered with fresh amniotic membranes.
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Figure 3. Complete reepithelization of the affected skin was observed 5 days after the membrane placement.
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Figure 4. Light microscopic image obtained on hospital day 1, before intravenous immunoglobulin administration, showing the epidermis with extensive necrosis and intraepidermal lymphocytes (arrow) (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnification x40).
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Figure 5. Nonnecrotic epidermis covered by amniotic membrane obtained on hospital day 10 showing epidermis with mild orthokeratosis and mild hypergranulosis, and slight spongiosis. Covering the epidermis there is evidence of amniotic membrane remnants with serous exudate. The dermis has a scarce inflammatory infiltrate (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnification x40).
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COMMENT
There are few reports that suggest the clinical application of amniotic membranes on skin diseases involving loss of epidermal integrity. Chronic ulcers,3-5 burns,6-9 and skin graft donor sites10 have been treated successfully with amniotic membranes. In the past decade, there have been reports of its application on epidermolysis bullosa,11 as a cover for microskin grafts,12 and as a covering following dermabrasion and laser treatment.13 Although good results have been observed, most reports consist of single cases and small uncontrolled series. Regarding TEN and amnion, to our knowledge there has been only 1 report, which described a 6-year-old child with TEN who was effectively treated with amniotic membranes on denudated areas.14 To our knowledge, there are no other reports on amnion as a coadjuvant treatment for skin detachment in Johnson-Stevens syndrome and TEN.
The extent of the epidermal detachment is one of the main prognostic factors in TEN.2 Consequently, therapeutic options that minimize loss of epidermal integrity should be considered in the treatment of TEN. Intravenous immunoglobulin has an antiapoptotic effect on keratinocytes, which might explain its efficacy in treating TEN.15
Amniotic membrane forms the innermost layer of the placenta and consists of a single epithelial layer, a thick basement membrane, and an avascular stromal matrix. There are several studies16-17 that have demonstrated that amniotic epithelial cells contain growth factors that could be effective in stimulating epithelial growth. Other features that have been described include enhancement of granulation tissue production,3 production of angiogenic and anti-inflammatory proteins, antifibrotic properties,18 induction of macrophage apoptosis,19 and a decrease in wound infection rates.6 It has also been reported13 that amnion serves as a matrix for the growth of keratinocytes. Finally, reduction in pain, improved cosmetic appearance, shorter hospital stays, reduced cost, and patient acceptability have also been documented.20
In our patient, a dramatic improvement was observed 24 hours after amniotic membrane placement. This observation could be explained by a multifactorial effect: growth factors promoting epithelial growth and anti-inflammatory mediators that may lead to an antiapoptotic effect. In addition, the membranes serve as a physical barrier against excess fluid and protein loss and protection from external biological and physical injury. Although more studies are needed to make definite conclusions, we believe that amniotic membranes in association with IVIG may prove to be effective coadjuvant treatments in the treatment of TEN.
| Submissions
Clinicians, residents, and fellows are invited to submit cases of challenges in management and therapeutics to this section. Cases should follow the established pattern. Manuscripts should be prepared double-spaced with right margins nonjustified. Pages should be numbered consecutively with the title page separated from the text (see Instructions for Authors [http://archderm.ama-assn.org/misc/ifora.dtl] for information about preparation of the title page). Clinical photographs, photomicrographs, and illustrations must be sharply focused and submitted as separate JPG files with each file numbered with the figure number. Material must be accompanied by the required copyright transfer statement (see authorship form [http://archderm.ama-assn.org/misc/auinst_crit.pdf]). Preliminary inquiries regarding submissions for this feature may be submitted to George J. Hruza, MD (ghruza{at}aol.com). Manuscripts should be submitted via our online manuscript submission and review system (http://manuscripts.archdermatol.com).
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AUTHOR INFORMATION
Correspondence: Rodrigo Schwartz, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of Chile, Santos Dumont 999, Independencia, Santiago, Chile (schwartz.rodrigo{at}gmail.com).
Accepted for Publication: July 30, 2007.
Author Contributions: Drs Schwartz, Avello, and Palisson had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: Palisson. Acquisition of data: Schwartz, Avello, and Palisson. Analysis and interpretation of data: Schwartz, Avello, and Palisson. Drafting of the manuscript: Schwartz and Palisson. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Schwartz, Avello, and Palisson. Administrative, technical, and material support: Avello and Palisson. Study supervision: Palisson.
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, and Departamento de Dermatologia, Clinica Las Condes (Dr Schwartz), Debra-Chile Foundation (Drs Schwartz, Avello, and Palisson), and Departamento de Dermatología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo-Clinica Alemana (Dr Palisson), Santiago, Chile
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SECTION EDITOR: GEORGE J. HRUZA, MD; ASSISTANT SECTION EDITORS: MICHAEL P. HEFFERNAN, MD; CHRISTIE AMMIRATI, MD
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