DRUG-INDUCED LYELL SYNDROME - MEDICOLEGAL ASPECTS

Issues of medical malpractice in drug induced Lyell syndrome are discu ssed by means of 3 autopsy cases (drugs administered: diclofenac, doxy cycline, sulfasalazine). In general the sole occurrence of the - mostl y not predictable - complication Lyell syndrome will not involve medic al malpractice. However, negligence could result from a wrong indicati on, inadequate risk explanation and insufficient therapy of the manife st Lyell syndrome. The performance of a medico-legal autopsy is recomm ended for a clarification of facts.