Olanzapine-induced eccrine squamous syringometaplasia

Area of Science:

• Dermatopathology
• Pharmacology
• Oncology

Background:

• Eccrine squamous syringometaplasia (ESS) is a recognized histopathologic finding.
• ESS is predominantly associated with chemotherapy agents.
• Reports linking ESS to non-chemotherapeutic agents are infrequent.

Observation:

• A 55-year-old patient diagnosed with schizophrenia was initiated on olanzapine treatment.
• The patient developed a distinct skin eruption approximately five weeks after starting olanzapine.
• Histopathologic examination of the skin lesions was performed.

Findings:

• The histopathologic study confirmed the presence of squamous syringometaplasia.
• The syringometaplasia specifically affected the dermal eccrine ducts.
• This finding represents a rare association between olanzapine and ESS.

Implications:

• This case expands the known spectrum of drug-induced skin reactions.
• It suggests olanzapine as a potential, albeit rare, trigger for ESS.
• Further investigation may be warranted to understand the mechanism of ESS in non-chemotherapy contexts.