Ethosuximide-induced drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms with mediastinal lymphadenopathy

Pediatr Dermatol. 2019 Jul;36(4):e99-e101. doi: 10.1111/pde.13848. Epub 2019 May 27.

Abstract

Lymphadenopathy is a common sign for drug reaction and eosinophilia with systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, but hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy may be underreported. We describe a 7-year-old boy who started taking ethosuximide for absence seizures and presented with diffuse rash, fever, elevated transaminases, facial swelling, and hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. His mediastinal lymphadenopathy was concerning for lymphoma, which led to more invasive testing to rule out malignancy. This report highlights an unusual and likely underreported presenting sign of DRESS syndrome in children.

Keywords: drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms; drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome; ethosuximide; lymphadenopathy; mediastinal; pseudolymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Child
  • Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome / etiology*
  • Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome / pathology
  • Eosinophilia / chemically induced
  • Eosinophilia / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Absence / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy, Absence / drug therapy*
  • Ethosuximide / adverse effects*
  • Ethosuximide / therapeutic use
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphadenopathy / chemically induced*
  • Lymphadenopathy / pathology
  • Lymphadenopathy / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Mediastinum / pathology
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Assessment

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Ethosuximide