[Amiodarone induced iododerma treated by cyclosporine].
BACKGROUND
Iodine containing agents are used as radiologic contrast media and for the treatment of upper respiratory infections, heart diseases, thyreotoxicosis, erythema nodosum and wound disinfection. Vegetating iododerma is a rare but severe cutaneous side effect.


METHODS
We report a case of iododerma in a 84 year-old patient, presenting iododerma 14 months after introduction of amiodarone treatment. Despite cessation of this therapy, an important exacerbation of the skin lesions was observed 3 months later. Therapy with cyclosporine produced a marked regression of the skin lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
We are aware of only one other reported case of amiodarone induced iododerma, which occurred after 2 years of therapy. Our patient was also exposed to iodine containing radiographic contrast media 1 and 18 years before onset of the actual skin disease. A sensitizing role of these injections is possible, but we feel that they did not directly induce the skin eruption as all reported cases occurred within a few days after exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
Amiodarone can exceptionally be responsible for severe iododerma. Cyclosporine is, according to our experience, a valuable therapeutic option.
Service de Dermatologie, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois, Lausanne Suisse.
C
C
Ricci
M
M
Krasovec
E
E
Frenk
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003646:Debridement; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007454:Iodides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007454:Iodides; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000638:Amiodarone