A 16-year-old female student presented with absence seizures for 2 years of age and no significant past or family history of epilepsy or allergic disorder. The computerized tomography (CT) head and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain were found to be normal; electroencephalography (EEG) was abnormal with diffuse cerebral dysfunction. She had been treated with clobazam 10 mg/day OD, for 1.5 years, but was still experiencing seizures about one to two in a day; therefore, LTG was added, starting with 25 mg a day, with weekly escalation, up to a dose of 100 mg/day. After 2 weeks of adding LTG, she developed fever, headaches, chills, and rash all over the body; the patient presented to the dermatology outpatient department (OPD) after 1 week of onset of the symptoms.\nOn examination, maculopapular lesions involving the genitals associated with itching were seen, which then spread to the trunk and then extremities in the next 3 days []. They became tender, and the erythematous, partially blanchable lesions took on a dusky hue over the trunk, upper limb, lower limb, and progressed to involve the face and lips (crusted plaques). No involvement of the oral cavity was noted nor were there any vesicular lesions. On the basis of history and clinical examination, a diagnosis of TEN was made and LTG was discontinued immediately and admitted under the dermatology department. LTG was stopped, and she was started on levetiracetam 500 mg twice a day, continued on clobazam 10 mg/day, intravenous steroids, fluids, and antibiotics. With medications and supportive care, the patient improved without any further complications.
A 12 year old boy, with a known case of seizure disorder presented to the casualty with generalized maculopapular rash, fever and facial puffiness. The patient had been operated for gastric perforation when he was 3 days old following which the seizure episodes started. He was treated with phenobarbitone till the age of five. The drug was gradually withdrawn on the advice of a physician. Six months ago he suffered an episode of convulsion. He was started on sodium valproate and levetiracetam. One month back levetiracetam was stopped and lamotrigine was initiated. The patient was taking 1 tablet of 25mg daily for the first 15 days; later the dose was doubled. On the 18th day, patient presented with generalized maculopapular rash, itching and fever and on 20th day he developed colicky abdominal pain and vomiting followed by facial puffiness.\nOn examination, he was alert and oriented, with a temperature of 100°F and pulse was 114/ minutes. There was significant angioedema of his face with edematous lips and swollen ears, and an extensive maculo-papular rash on his entire trunk [], buttocks, extremities and face. The whole body had a red tinge. Examination showed yellow sclera, conjunctival congestion and crusting over his lips. He experienced no joint pain or neurological symptoms, and no abdominal or respiratory complaints. There was no history of any allergies. The birth history and immunization were uneventful. He had 3 siblings: one of them also had history of epileptic disorders for which she was on treatment.\nInvestigations revealed leukocytosis (15,960cells/cmm) with eosinophilia (19%) AEC=2600/cmm. Hemoglobin was 10.8gm%, platelet count 2.53lakhs/cmm; ESR and PCV were normal. Liver enzymes were raised with SGOT=905U/l, SGPT=495U/l, ALP=855U/l and GGT= 155U/l. Total bilirubin was 1.5mg% (direct 0.51mg% and indirect 0.99mg%). Blood urea and creatinine were normal. Routine examination of the urine was normal. Provisional diagnosis of DRESS was made based on the above findings.\nParental cortisteroids and systemic antihistamines were initiated. Lamotrigine was stopped. Within 5 days the rash subsided. Patient's general condition improved. On discharge patient was given oral steroids and antihistaminic's.