Reactions 705 - 13 Jun 1998

Carbamazepine

Hypersensitivity with a cutaneouspseudolymphoma: case report

A 44-year-old woman developed carbamazepine-inducedhypersensitivity, resulting in an eruption with features of acutaneous, CD30+ pseudolymphoma.

The patient, who was allergic to phenytoin, had been treatedwith carbamazepine [dosage not stated] for 1 month for aseizure disorder. She then developed a morbilliform eruptionon her trunk and extremities, dyspnoea, dry cough, fever andmyalgias. She had erythematous tympanic membranes,crackles in the base of her lungs and hepatomegaly. A chest x-ray showed bilateral interstitial pneumonitis. Laboratorystudies showed elevated liver function tests and leucocytosis.A skin biopsy revealed a superficial and mid-dermalmononuclear infiltrate. Atypical lymphocytes were scatteredthroughout the dermis and epidermis. These cells were CD3+and CD30+ lymphocytes.

Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome due tocarbamazepine was diagnosed. Carbamazepine wasdiscontinued and her adverse reaction resolved within 3weeks. Her seizures were subsequently treated withclorazepate and she did not have any further problems during1 year of follow-up.Nathan DL, et al. Carbamazepine-induced pseudolymphoma with CD-30 positivecells. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 38: 806-809, Part 2, May1998 - USA 800677866

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Reactions 13 Jun 1998 No. 7050114-9954/10/0705-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved