title: Phenytoin-induced pseudolymphoma. A report of a case and review of the literature.
abstract: We report a patient with phenytoin-induced pseudolymphoma mimicking cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Despite withdrawal of phenytoin, there was persistence of the cutaneous eruption and lymphadenopathy. Southern blot analysis of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes was therefore used to assess whether there was a clonal lymphoid expansion. However, no rearrangement of the beta T-cell receptor gene or immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene was detected in tissue DNA from skin and lymph nodes. One year later the patient became asymptomatic, although he is still at risk of developing a true malignant lymphoma in the future, a condition known as pseudo-pseudolymphoma. It is suggested that genotypic studies may help in the initial diagnosis and the subsequent management of such patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine, London, U.K.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ostlere
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sweny
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rustin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D010672:Phenytoin