This patient has tender, indurated lesions on the lower extremities consistent with erythema nodosum (EN). EN is characterized by 2- to 3-cm, tender, erythematous or violaceous nodules. It usually occurs on the shins but can develop elsewhere on the legs trunk, face, or the upper extremities. Women are more commonly affected.
EN results from a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to various antigens. Common triggers include infection (eg Streptococcus), inflammatory bowel disease (eg Chron’s disease), sarcoidosis, malignancy. It can also be triggered by medications, such as penicillins, sulfonamides (eg, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in this patient), and oral contraceptives. The diagnosis is based primarily on clinical findings, although, if necessary, biopsy of the nodules can reveal septal panniculitis without vasculitis. EN is a self-limited condition that typically resolves within weeks, but residual hyperpigmentation is common.
Educational objective:
Erythema nodosum is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction characterized by 2- to 3-cm, tender, erythematous nodules, most often on the shins. Common triggers include infection, inflammatory bowel disease, sarcoidosis, and malignancy. It can also be triggered by medications, such as penicillins, sulfonamides, and oral contraceptives.
Choice B. Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis (ie, leukocytoclastic vasculitis) can be triggered by antibiotics but presents as painful, raised, nonblanching, petechial or purpuric lesion i.e. palpable purpura (see image).
Choice C. Polyarteritis nodosa may cause nodular lesions resembling erythema nodosum, but it is usually associated with systemic (eg, fever, arthralgias, weight loss) and extradermal (eg, renal insufficiency, abdominal pain, mononeuritis multiplex) manifestations.
Choice D. Serum sickness is an immune reaction against blood products or antigens from a nonhuman species (eg, chimeric mouse antibodies [rituximab, infliximab]). Certain medications (including sulfonamides) can induce a serum sickness-like reaction, but this typically manifests with fever, joint pain, and an urticarial (see image) or vasculitis-like rash.
Choice E. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is characterized by erythematous bullae and desquamation (see image), often associated with mucosal involvement and a febrile prodrome.
Choice F. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura presents with a petechial rash associated with fever, renal failure, abdominal pain, and neurologic manifestations.
