Question

A 60-year-old man has had painful skin with exfoliation of the skin and mucous membranes for 1 day. He has been taking allopurinol and probenecid for 2 weeks because of gouty arthritis. There is diffuse exfoliation of the skin with oozing of serous fluid. The mucous membranes of the mouth are erythematous and exfoliated. There are no target lesions. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?A. Bullous pemphigoidB. Erythema multiformeC. Pemphigus vulgarisD. Staphylococcal scalded-skin syndromeE. Toxic epidermal necrolysis

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is option E, that is, toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Explanation:

The painful exfoliation of the mucous membranes and the skin two weeks after starting allopurinol indicates Toxic Epidermal Syndrome. A potentially life-threatening dermatologic ailment featured by widespread necrosis, erythema, and bullous detachment of the mucous membranes and epidermis is known as the toxic epidermal necrolysis. The further leads to exfoliation, and possible death or sepsis.