Synonyms
Dermatostomatitis; Ectodermose érosive pluriorificielle; Erythema circinatum bullosum et haemorragicum; Erythema exudativum multiforme of Hebra; Fiessenger-Rendu syndrome; Syndroma muco-cutaneo-oculare acutum of Fuchs
Definition
Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute, self-limited, and often recurring skin condition, with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations and severity (Schofield et al. 1993). It has been considered a hypersensitivity reaction associated with certain infections and medications. Clinically, EM is defined by the presence of typical three-zone target lesions, with predominantly acral distribution (Wetter and Davis 2010). The presence of mucosal involvement at more than one site distinguishes erythema multiforme major (EMM) from erythema multiforme minor (EMm). The term EMM covers the Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN); the latter is the more severe form of presentation, characterized by the Nikolsky sign (detachment of the epidermal...
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References and Further Reading
Bastuji-Garin, S., Rzany, B., Stern, R. S., Shear, N. H., Naldi, L., & Roujeau, J. C. (1993). Clinical classification of cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and erythema multiforme. Archives of Dermatology, 129, 92–96.
Drago, F., Parodi, A., & Rebora, A. (1995). Persistent erythema multiforme: Report of two new cases and review of literature. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 33, 366–369.
Schofield, J. K., Tatnall, F. M., & Leigh, I. M. (1993). Recurrent erythema multiforme: Clinical features and treatment in a large series of patients. The British Journal of Dermatology, 128, 542–545.
Sun, Y., Chan, R. K., Tan, S. H., & Ng, P. P. (2003). Detection and genotyping of human herpes simplex viruses in cutaneous lesions of erythema multiforme by nested PCR. Journal of Medical Virology, 71, 423–428.
Tatnall, F. M., Schofield, J. K., & Leigh, I. M. (1995). A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of continuous acyclovir therapy in recurrent erythema multiforme. The British Journal of Dermatology, 132, 267–270.
Weedon, D., Strutton, G., & Rubin, A. I. (2010). Weedon’s skin pathology. In Elsevier (Ed.), Lichenoid reaction pattern (interface) (3rd ed., pp. 35–70). London: Elsevier.
Wetter, D. A., & Davis, M. D. (2010). Recurrent erythema multiforme: Clinical characteristics, etiologic associations, and treatment in a series of 48 patients at Mayo Clinic, 2000 to 2007. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 62, 45–53.
Williams, P. M., & Conklin, R. J. (2005). Erythema multiforme: A review and contrast from Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis. Dental Research and Graduate Study, 49, 67–76.
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Vassallo, C. (2016). Erythema Multiforme. In: Massi, D. (eds) Dermatopathology. Encyclopedia of Pathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30006-1_419
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30006-1_419
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