Target lesions on the lips: childhood herpes simplex associated with erythema multiforme mimics Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome are both characterized by areas of epithelial necrosis. An important clinical feature that distinguishes the two is the extensive mucosal necrosis in Stevens-Johnson syndrome but not in erythema multiforme. Because significant and serious complications may develop with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and not with erythema multiforme, it is important to differentiate between the conditions. We describe three boys with herpes simplex virus-associated erythema multiforme who had severe necrosis of the lips develop and were initially diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The lip lesions were large target lesions of erythema multiforme rather than the extensive necrosis seen in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and all three had a benign course.
Weston
W L
WL
Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children, Sydney, Australia.
Morelli
J G
JG
Rogers
M
M
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004892:Erythema Multiforme / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006560:Herpes Labialis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*