title: Controversy: are systemic steroids indicated in the treatment of erythema multiforme?
abstract: The treatment of erythema multiforme major with systemic steroids became established during the 1950s. Recently, two retrospective case reviews comparing steroid-treated and nonsteroid-treated groups of patients with erythema multiforme found that these agents may be associated with complications. As a result, many clinicians have become uncertain as to the appropriate therapy of this disease entity. We successfully treated the condition with steroids in two children and one adolescent. The controversy over the potential efficacy of such therapy for erythema multiforme persists, however.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Renfro
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Grant-Kels
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Feder
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Daman
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D004892:Erythema Multiforme / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D008775:Methylprednisolone