[Acitretin-induced capillary leak syndrome: Case report and literature review]

Retinoids are widely used in dermatology. Adverse effects are frequent and require clinical and laboratory monitoring. Herein we report the case of a patient with secondary capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) associated with acitretin. We then present a review of the literature on systemic retinoids and SFCS.

A 57-year-old patient consulted following the onset of severe type I pityriasis rubra pilaris. Treatment was initiated comprising topical corticosteroids combined with acitretin at a dose of 0.5mg/kg/day. On the eighth day, voluminous edema appeared, accompanied by weight gain of 8kg in 48h and hypotension. The laboratory assessment showed hypoalbuminemia and hemoconcentration. Acitretin-induced SCLS was diagnosed based on the triple signs of hemoconcentration, hypoalbuminemia and hypotension, as well as rapid improvement following discontinuation of acitretin.

We collected 7 published clinical cases between 1981 and 2018, including our own case report. Retinoids were indicated only in severe cutaneous diseases. The mean time to onset of SLCS is 9.8 days, with a return to normal 17 days after discontinuation of retinoids. Capillary leak syndrome is a rare and under-diagnosed clinical-laboratory syndrome that must be recognized in order to avoid potentially fatal inappropriate management. It is a rare adverse effect of retinoids used in dermatology and the pathophysiology remains unclear.