Dermatitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Dermatitis, including details on contact-, seborrheic-, atopic-, allergic-dermatitis, treatment.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis secondary to angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Jones B, Vun Y, Sabah M, Egan CA

Department of Dermatology, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Ireland. bradjones@ausdoctors.net

A 67-year-old man presented with a history of lymphadenopathy, fevers and separate skin eruptions of erythrodermic spongiotic dermatitis initially and subsequent toxic epidermal necrolysis. Initial lymph node biopsies showed non-specific granulomatous changes, and skin biopsies and bone marrow aspirate were not diagnostic. His toxic epidermal necrolysis responded well to 3 days of intravenous immunoglobulin. The patient was discharged from hospital and reviewed regularly as an outpatient. Due to persisting lymphadenopathy, further lymph node biopsy led to the diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of peripheral T-cell lymphoma with a poor prognosis. At the time of diagnosis his condition deteriorated rapidly and he died soon after.

Published 12 July 2005 in Australas J Dermatol, 46(3): 187-91.
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