Phenytoin-induced Stevens–Johnson syndrome with myocarditis: a rare case report

Introduction

Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are mucocutaneous cell-mediated hypersensitivity reactions that are generally rare, but potentially life threatening and commonly drug induced.^1,2

Because of the similarities in clinical, histopathologic findings, risk factors, and drug causality, these two conditions are now considered severe variants of an identical process that differs only in the final extent of the body surface involved.³ Incidence of SJS and TEN is estimated to be approximately one to six cases per million person-years. It can occur at any stage, with the incidence increasing after the fourth decade.³ Phenytoin is the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug in adults. It is also among the drugs causing the highest rate of cutaneous adverse reactions.⁴ In a case–control study of 73 SJS patients taking antiepileptic drugs, 14 patients were reported with SJS associated with phenytoin ingestion.¹

Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome can involve the heart and cause myocarditis. It usually occurs within 8 weeks of initiation of the new drug. Common agents include antiepileptics, antimicrobials, and allopurinol. Diffuse myocardial involvement causes hypotension and thromboembolic events. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging and cardiac biomarker measurement help in identifying patients with cardiac involvement.⁵

Here, we describe a very rare case where phenytoin was implicated in causing both SJS and myocarditis.

Case report

A 43-year-old male who was diagnosed of epileptic disorder and was put on tablet phenytoin 100 mg thrice daily 10 days earlier presented with sudden onset of fluid-filled lesions that increased in number and surface area in 2 days. The patient was not on any other drugs. Blisters started bursting out releasing watery fluid. He developed fever, easy fatigability, and breathlessness, which progressively increased. On the fourth day following the onset, his symptoms worsened and he was brought to our hospital.

On evaluation at the emergency room, the patient was in severe respiratory distress and was gasping for breath. He was unconscious and not responding to deep stimuli. Saturation was low; blood pressure was not recordable. He was immediately intubated and put on mechanical ventilation (Figure 1). Inotropes were started.

Figure 1 Image showing the patient incubated with evidence of extensive involvement of the skin of neck and limbs.

He had multiple ruptured bullae all over the body and erythematous skin. Oral and conjunctival mucosae were also involved (Figure 2). Dermatology opinion was sought. More than 30% of the body surface area was involved. Provisional diagnosis of SJS was made. Investigations revealed elevation in cardiac biomarkers. Echocardiogram revealed global hypokinesia. Prothrombin time was 15 s. Activated partial thromboplastin time was 32 s. Platelet count was 143,000 L/mm³. Results of liver function tests were normal.

Figure 2 Image showing Stevens-Johnson syndrome invading the mucus membrane of the eyes.

He was given appropriate ICU care by the critical care team. Inotropes were continued. Hydrocortisone 100 mg injection was started after discussion with the dermatologist. Myocarditis was managed conservatively. He was switched over to capsule sodium valproate 1000 mg twice a day.

Twelve hours following admission, his renal parameters were deranged. With full inotropic support, his blood pressure was 80/60 mmHg. Glasgow coma scale score was 4/15.

Near-normal leukocyte count excluded sepsis as a cause for hypotension.

He showed no improvement in clinical and biochemical parameters during the treatment.

After about 18 hours of admission, he had a sudden cardiac arrest and was revived. After an hour, he sustained one more cardiac arrest but could not be revived this time and was declared dead.

Discussion

SJS is one of the most debilitating adverse drug reactions recognized.^6,7 Both SJS and TEN are debatably included in the same spectrum as erythema multiforme. This mucocutaneous condition shows similarities in clinical presentation to SJS/TEN but exhibits some distinct differences.^8,9 The mortality rate mainly depends on the age and health of the patient, and the rates can range from 30% to 100%. Individuals at the opposite ends of the age spectrum are usually fatal cases.^10,11

Although the majority of cases are idiopathic, the main class of known causes is medication, followed by infections and, rarely, cancers.¹² A idiosyncratic, delayed, hypersensitivity reaction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of SJS. We believe that this is the first report of hypersensitivity to phenytoin associated with myocarditis that resulted in mortality beyond SJS.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the head could not be done to evaluate the cause of the seizers as the the patient was critically ill and ventilator dependent. Hypotension was managed only with inotropes. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was not available in our hospital.

Conclusion

SJS caused by drugs, usually antibiotics and antiepileptics, is reported often from many parts of the world. Phenytoin, being one of the mainstays of treatment for a variety of seizure disorders, is extensively used in most of the countries and is cost-effective also. It is also among the drugs causing the highest rate of cutaneous adverse reactions.⁴ Hypersensitivity to phenytoin is not unusual. Early recognition and prompt treatment with corticosteroids might improve the outcome. Also, patient education regarding the possibility of adverse drug reaction is essential. Rare association of myocarditis with or without SJS is to be kept in mind.

Acknowledgment

I would like to acknowledge Dr Kiran Bheemeshwar, Resident, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Science, Bellur, Karnataka, India, for the assistance in preparation of this manuscript.

Written informed consent was taken from the patient’s wife for publication of this case report and images.

Disclosure

The author reports no conflicts of interest in this work.

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