[Toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's syndrome) (author's transl)]

One case of toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's syndrome) in a 6 1/2 year old girl is presented. The patient had received penicillin and streptomycin for four days two weeks before the onset, and was admitted to the hospital with epidermal lesions characteristic of the bullous stage of Lyell's disease. A biopsy of the skin confirmed the diagnosis. Cultures of blood, skin and exudate from the bullae were negative, and immunological tests were normal. No immunohistologic studies on the skin biopsy were done. The patient was treated with cephalosporins and corticosteroids, and the evolution was favorable. The main clinical traits found in this patient are discussed on the light of information available from previous reports. Several aspects of the diagnosis, management, and natural history of the disease are also discussed.