Lamotrigine-induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome with Histologic Features of CD30+ Lymphoma

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome or drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) is a severe adverse drug reaction. It can present with clinical, paraclinical, and histological findings mimicking skin and/or systemic lymphomas. We report the first case of a lamotrigine-induced DRESS with histologic features of a cutaneous CD30+ lymphoma. The patient responded well to a tapering course of oral steroids. This case highlights the atypical presentation of a lamotrigine-induced DRESS/DIHS in the presence of a cutaneous and a lymph node CD30 + lymphocytic infiltrate mimicking systemic lymphoma. Pathologists and clinicians must be aware of this “lymphomatous” presentation of drug reactions.