To the Editor.—
Phenytoin-induced morbilliform exanthem is estimated to occur in 5% to 10% of patients, usually within the first 3 weeks of therapy.1 We recently had the opportunity of observing a patient in whom the distribution of the phenytoin-induced rash was predominantly unilateral, corresponding to the side of hemiplegia.
Report of a Case.—
A previously healthy 16-year-old man suffered a laceration on the left side of his head following which he lost consciousness and developed a right-sided, completed, dense hemiplegia. Computed tomography of the skull revealed multiple depressed fractures of the left parietal bone with extradural hematoma and contusion of the left frontoparietal lobe. A day later, a left parietal craniectomy was done, and the pulped brain tissue was sucked out. Subsequently, he was given phenytoin, 100 mg thrice daily. The patient regained consciousness 2 days after the operation. After 5 days, an erythematous macular rash was noted