Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome: Management And Outcomes.

Abstract

Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome (TENS) is a rare medical emergency associated with high morbidity and mortality. At present, there is no agreement regarding specific treatments for this disease. The aim of this study is to determine the outcome of patients with TENS using a treatment protocol that did not include the use of intravenous immunoglobulin or systemic steroids. This is a retrospective study of all patients diagnosed with TENS admitted to a tertiary burns centre from 2015-2017. Twelve cases were identified with a mean age of 46±8 years. Mean total body surface area affected was 51±9%. The SCORTEN index was 3.4±0.3 (range 2-5) and predicted 3 deaths in this cohort. Overall mortality was 25%. This study casts no doubt on the prognostic validity of SCORTEN. No specific TENS treatment has been unequivocally proven to be effective.