Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis induced by lamotrigine in a patient with a cerebral cavernous malformation: a case report

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare but serious cutaneous reactions characterized by epidermal and mucocutaneous detachment, most often drug-induced. SJS and TEN are considered the opposite extremes of the same spectrum of disease, where the percentage of skin involvement is <10% in SJS and >30% in TEN; the in-between range is called an SJS/TEN overlap. We present the case of a 64-year-old patient who was treated with lamotrigine, an anti-epileptic drug, and developed SJS/TEN. After being hospitalized and recovering for three days due to the worsening of the clinical presentation, he was transferred to a burn center. Making an early diagnosis and identifying the appropriate drug is crucial for setting the correct treatment and reducing mortality. Advanced supportive care is required.