Toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is one of the rarest events -- a dermatologic emergency. The clinical presentation is characteristic -- disseminate erythema and widespread bullous necrosis of the epidermis and mucous membranes. Toxicity is universal and mortality is substantial even with prompt and intensive therapy. Drugs are the most commonly incriminated agents and therapy remains controversial, the majority favoring high-dose systemic corticosteroids.