Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe immune-mediated mucocutaneous reactions characterized by epidermal detachment and necrosis, almost always secondary to drugs. 

SJS and TEN are no longer considered separate pathologies and are instead distinguished by percentage of body surface affected by blisters and erosions. SJS involves skin detachment of less than 10% of the body surface, while TEN involves detachment of more than 30% of the body surface area. Patients with skin detachment of 10 to 30% of BSA are considered to have SJS/TEN overlap. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in managing SJS/TEN as up to 10% of SJS cases and less than 30% of TEN cases are fatal. 

Erythema multiforme (EM) is an immune-mediated mucocutaneous reaction following infection (most often HSV type 1) characterized by target lesions with bullae or erosions. Other symptoms include fever, asthenia, arthralgia, and pneumonia-like symptoms.

This quiz is designed to test your knowledge on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, differential diagnosis and management of SJS, TEN, and EM. We encourage you to review the associated learning module before taking the quiz.

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Sources

  • Bolognia, J., Cerroni, L., & Schaffer, J. V. (2018). Dermatology. Philadelphia: Elsevier.
  • Wolverton, S. E. (2013). Comprehensive dermatologic drug therapy. Edinburgh: Saunders.
  • Release Date: March 6, 2023

  • Last Updated: March 6, 2023

  • Time to complete: 30 minutes

  • Authors:

    • Dr. Alireza Faghihi Kashani, MD, CISSS-AT
    • Dr. Kathleen D’Aguanno, MD, University of Sherbrooke.
    • Dr. Kayadri Ratnarajah, MD, McGill University.
    • Dr. Elena Netchiporouk, MD, McGill University