Cocaine-related Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Abstract

We report the case of a 26-year-old student with erosive skin changes on his oral and genital mucosa and skin as well as on his thighs twice after cocaine snorting. The second of these two episodes was documented histologically, and other underlying causes of disease were excluded. A diagnosis of recurring Stevens-Johnson syndrome was made. Treatment was initiated with bed rest, systemic prednisone at 1 mg/kg body weight and liquid nutrition. Mucosal changes resolved within 4 days. On follow-up the patient remained free of symptoms while abstaining from the particular cocaine street mix in question. Cocaine has been involved in seizures, headaches, ischemic strokes, intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral vasculitis, Churg-Strauss vasculitis, palpable purpura and Henoch-Schönlein vasculitis. Bullous skin disease in association with cocaine has been reported in 1 patient. To our knowledge, we report the first case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with cocaine snorting.