Open AccessA case report of differentiating staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis by optical coherence tomography
Author(s) -
Hussain A. A.,
Banzhaf C. A.,
Themstrup L.,
Nielsen P. L.,
Jemec G. B. E.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/srt.12200
Subject(s) - toxic epidermal necrolysis , staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome , optical coherence tomography , dermatology , medicine , epidermis (zoology) , pathology , staphylococcus aureus , radiology , anatomy , biology , bacteria , genetics
Background Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome ( SSSS ) and toxic epidermal necrolysis ( TEN ) both present with acute onset, high morbidity and significant mortality. Rapid diagnosis is therefore of importance. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the presentation of these diseases using optical coherence tomography ( OCT ). Methods Two male patients with bullous diseases, SSSS and TEN , respectively, were photographed digitally, examined using dermoscopy, OCT scanned and subsequently biopsied in the said order. Results The bullous skin was visualized by OCT showing two distinct images: the SSSS ‐patient displayed superficial hyporefletive flaccid structures with a split high in the thickened (0.51 mm vs. 0.12 mm) epidermis while the TEN ‐patient demonstrated a larger hyporeflective ovoid structure with a split right below the thickened epidermis (0.18 mm vs. 0.06 mm). Conclusion These findings suggest that there is a potential for the application of OCT scanning in the acute phase of SSSS and TEN in order to distinguish them for a faster diagnosis and better management and treatment.