Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Presenting as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Case Report

Polymorphous skin lesions have classically been described in paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP), but it can present as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) though this type of presentation is extremely rare. We report a case of PNP presenting as TEN in a young male patient. Patient had history of fever and...

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Main Authors: Jignaben K Padhiyar, Nayankumar H Patel, Kishan Ninama, Freny E Bilimoria, Rashmi Mahajan, Trusha Gajjar, Mansi Buch
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Society of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON) 2018-03-01
Series:Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology
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Online Access:https://nepjol.info/index.php/NJDVL/article/view/19416
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author Jignaben K Padhiyar
Nayankumar H Patel
Kishan Ninama
Freny E Bilimoria
Rashmi Mahajan
Trusha Gajjar
Mansi Buch
author_facet Jignaben K Padhiyar
Nayankumar H Patel
Kishan Ninama
Freny E Bilimoria
Rashmi Mahajan
Trusha Gajjar
Mansi Buch
author_sort Jignaben K Padhiyar
collection DOAJ
description Polymorphous skin lesions have classically been described in paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP), but it can present as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) though this type of presentation is extremely rare. We report a case of PNP presenting as TEN in a young male patient. Patient had history of fever and diarrhoea six weeks before starting of lesions in oral cavity, for which he was treated with injectable medicines. Then patient developed generalized necrosis and peeling of skin with involvement of conjunctiva, oropharynx and genital mucosa. For this, the patient was given intravenous dexamethasone considering it as TEN, but after transient improvement initially skin lesions recurred when dose of dexamethasone was reduced. On seventh day, patient developed few circular deep ulcers over arms and back. Nikolsky sign was positive with tzanck smear showing acantholytic cells. Hence, we added PNP as one of the differential diagnosis. On further investigations patient was found to have B cell lymphoma in mediastinum and skin biopsy and direct immunofluorescence were confirmative of PNP. Unfortunately, patient then succumbed to death due to multiorgan failure and electrolyte imbalance. The onset of PNP can be as acute as TEN and clinical picture being initially undistinguishable, high index of suspicion is required in diagnosis.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2091-0231
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language English
publishDate 2018-03-01
publisher Society of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON)
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spelling doaj-art-45504768280b43b486d57554e4e5439c2025-08-24T10:06:22ZengSociety of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON)Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology2091-02312091-167X2018-03-01161Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Presenting as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Case ReportJignaben K Padhiyar0Nayankumar H Patel1Kishan Ninama2Freny E Bilimoria3Rashmi Mahajan4Trusha Gajjar5Mansi Buch6Gujarat Cancer Society Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Ahmedabad, GujaratGujarat Cancer Society Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Ahmedabad, GujaratSmt. B K Shah Medical Institute and Research Centre, Vadoddara, GujaratSmt. B K Shah Medical Institute and Research Centre, Vadoddara, GujaratSmt. B K Shah Medical Institute and Research Centre, Vadoddara, GujaratGujarat Cancer Society Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Ahmedabad, GujaratGujarat Cancer Society Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Ahmedabad, Gujarat Polymorphous skin lesions have classically been described in paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP), but it can present as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) though this type of presentation is extremely rare. We report a case of PNP presenting as TEN in a young male patient. Patient had history of fever and diarrhoea six weeks before starting of lesions in oral cavity, for which he was treated with injectable medicines. Then patient developed generalized necrosis and peeling of skin with involvement of conjunctiva, oropharynx and genital mucosa. For this, the patient was given intravenous dexamethasone considering it as TEN, but after transient improvement initially skin lesions recurred when dose of dexamethasone was reduced. On seventh day, patient developed few circular deep ulcers over arms and back. Nikolsky sign was positive with tzanck smear showing acantholytic cells. Hence, we added PNP as one of the differential diagnosis. On further investigations patient was found to have B cell lymphoma in mediastinum and skin biopsy and direct immunofluorescence were confirmative of PNP. Unfortunately, patient then succumbed to death due to multiorgan failure and electrolyte imbalance. The onset of PNP can be as acute as TEN and clinical picture being initially undistinguishable, high index of suspicion is required in diagnosis. https://nepjol.info/index.php/NJDVL/article/view/19416Acantholysisfluorescent antibody techniquedirectpemphigusstevens-johnson syndrome
spellingShingle Jignaben K Padhiyar
Nayankumar H Patel
Kishan Ninama
Freny E Bilimoria
Rashmi Mahajan
Trusha Gajjar
Mansi Buch
Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Presenting as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Case Report
Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology
Acantholysis
fluorescent antibody technique
direct
pemphigus
stevens-johnson syndrome
title Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Presenting as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Case Report
title_full Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Presenting as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Case Report
title_fullStr Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Presenting as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Presenting as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Case Report
title_short Paraneoplastic Pemphigus Presenting as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Case Report
title_sort paraneoplastic pemphigus presenting as toxic epidermal necrolysis a case report
topic Acantholysis
fluorescent antibody technique
direct
pemphigus
stevens-johnson syndrome
url https://nepjol.info/index.php/NJDVL/article/view/19416
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