CUTANEOUS NECROSIS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERFERON-ALPHA-2B

Cutaneous necrosis may occur as a complication of treatment with inter feron, Here we report the first case of cutaneous necrosis developing in a patient receiving interferon alpha-2b for the treatment of chroni c hepatitis C viral infection. The patient developed two necrotic lesi ons while receiving high doses of interferon, We suggest that disconti nuation of treatment may be necessary to permit healing of such lesion s. Although the exact mechanism involved in cutaneous necrosis remains unknown, our observations support earlier findings suggesting that in traarterial injection may be a factor. (C) 1998 by Am. Cell. of Gastro enterology.