Internal organ involvement in epidermal necrolysis and bullous fixed drug eruption assessed by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography: a proof-of-concept study

We investigated internal organ involvement in Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and generalized bullous fixed drug eruption (GBFDE) using 18fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT). Participants (n = 10) underwent scans at two timepoints: acute (t0) and 3 months later (t1). Results showed increased inflammation in multiple organs at t0, with persistent or worsening inflammation in the lungs, eyes and bone marrow at t1. The study confirms internal organ involvement in SJS/TEN and GBFDE and highlights the potential of 18F-FDG PET/CT as a diagnostic tool for tracking inflammation beyond the acute stage.