Rapidly progressive bronchiolitis obliterans associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Abstract

A middle-aged woman developed fulminant respiratory failure during recovery from Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Mechanical ventilation was difficult because of unusually high airway pressures, and she died one month later. Autopsy revealed not only the usual features of bronchiolitis obliterans, but also obstruction of cartilaginous bronchi. The histopathologic features suggested a relationship between bronchial obstruction and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.