title: Erythema multiforme: a literature review and case report.
abstract: Erythema multiforme is a florid mucocutaneous disease characterized by oral, cutaneous, and ocular manifestations. The cutaneous lesions are pathognomonic because of their unique "target-like" appearance. A severe form of EM has been termed "Stevens-Johnson Syndrome". Although the etiology of EM is unknown, much of the research suggests an immunological association with HSV. The diagnosis of EM is based on signs and symptoms, and a differential diagnosis should include other ulcerative, mucocutaneous diseases, such as erosive lichen planus, pemphigus, varicella zoster, ANUG, TEN, aphthous stomatitis, and primary HSV. Therapeutic measures are palliative, including a soft bland diet, topical anesthetics, and corticosteroids. A case of EM is described which underscores the appearance of the disease and its clinical course.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Krippaehne
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Montgomery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002610:Cheek; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004892:Erythema Multiforme / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone