Spectrum of gastrointestinal involvement in Stevens - Johnson syndrome

Stevens - Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe adverse drug reaction associated with involvement of skin and mucosal membranes, and carries significant risk of mortality and morbidity. Mucus membrane lesions usually involve the oral cavity, lips, bulbar conjunctiva and the anogenitalia. The oral/anal mucosa and liver are commonly involved in SJS or TEN. However, intestinal involvement is distinctly rare. We herein review the current literature regarding the gastrointestinal involvement in SJS or TEN. This review focuses mainly on the small bowel and colonic involvement in patients with SJS or TEN.