Persistent supravenous erythematous eruption: a rare local complication of intravenous 5-fluorouracil therapy

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998 Nov;39(5 Pt 2):839-42. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(98)70361-5.

Abstract

We describe a 47-year-old man who developed a linear serpentine erythematous eruption, overlying the superficial veins on both arms, after treatment with intravenous 5-fluorouracil. No evidence of superficial phlebitis or extravasation were observed. Histologically, a prominent vacuolar alteration of basal cells, necrotic keratinocytes, pigment incontinence, and a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate in the upper dermis were observed. In a review of the literature we encountered only 5 reports of a similar clinicopathologic picture. The term "persistent supravenous erythematous eruption" (PSEE) seems suitable to describe this rare and peculiar cutaneous eruption that develops after intravenous cytotoxic drug treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / adverse effects*
  • Dermis / drug effects
  • Dermis / pathology
  • Drug Eruptions / etiology*
  • Drug Eruptions / pathology
  • Erythema / chemically induced*
  • Erythema / pathology
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Keratinocytes / drug effects
  • Keratinocytes / pathology
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • Pigmentation Disorders / chemically induced
  • Pigmentation Disorders / pathology
  • Vacuoles / ultrastructure
  • Veins / drug effects
  • Veins / pathology

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Fluorouracil