Sir—The report of unexplained deaths associated with thalidomide therapy for toxic epidermal necrolysis by Pierre Wolkenstein and colleagues (Nov 14, p 1586), points to the need for a more complete understanding of the putative mechanism(s) of action of this drug. This issue is lent further urgency by the recent licensure of thalidomide by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment o...

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), also known as Lyell's syndrome, is a widespread life-threatening mucocutaneous disease where there is extensive detachment of the skin and mucous membrane. Many factors involved in the etiology of TEN including adverse drug reactions. Here we are reporting a case of toxic epidermal necrolysis in an adult male patient after receiving carbamazepine in a 38 year o...

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Steven-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are characterized by extensive necrosis and cleavage of the epidermis from the dermis akin to a superficial or partial thickness burn. Sepsis is the usual cause of mortality but much of the pathophysiologic process results from an outpouring of cytokines and matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs) which have a destructive effect on the ...

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is an uncommon and severe cutaneous adverse drug reaction that causes disseminated necrosis of epidermal cells and mucocutaneous detachment. Here, we report the case of a 32-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus infection who presented with generalized violaceous macules and blister formation 4 days after the administration of mefenamic acid and amoxici...