Toxic epidermal necrolysis and its ocular findings in Cameroon

Background: To study basic epidemiological datas and ocular involvment duri ng toxic epidermal necrolysis (T.E.N.) in Cameroonian patients. Methods: Ten consecutive patients in the Central Hospital of Yaounde were i ncluded during a 4 years period. Anamnesis, clinical features, dermatologic al, ophthalmological and pathological examinations were done. Minimal follo w up of 3 months. Results: Mean age: 20.1 +/- 11.4 yrs (SD); culprit drugs: sulfadoxin (5/10) , sulfamethoxazol (3/10); phenytoin (1/10). Mean of skin detachment: 41 +/- 17%. 2 patients died with sulfadoxin as culprit drug, Early ocular finding s: conjunctivitis (ali patients), symblepharon (1/8), ankyloblepharon (3 pa tients over 8 with sulfadoxin as culprit drug). All cases with ankyloblepha ron (3) evoluated toward formation of a fibrovascular pre-corneal membrane with blindness. Two of the patients received a kerothoprosthesis on one eye . The 3 patients had a severe dry eye syndrome. Conclusion: TEN appears to be uncommon in Cameroon. Use of sulfonamides for treatment and prevention of malaria and AID'S opportunistic infections may increase the incidence of disease in tropical african areas. Ophthalmologi sts should be aware of early management of ocular manifestations in Lyell s yndrome to avoid severe sequelae. That sequelae may be due to usual intensi ve healing in African patients. Severe corneal damages can be corrected onl y by keratoprosthesis.