| necrolysis | <pathology> Separation or exfoliation of tissue due to necrosis. Origin: Gr. Lysis = dissolution (18 Nov 1997) |
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| toxic epidermal necrolysis | A syndrome in which a large portion of the skin becomes intensely erythematous with epidermal necrosis, and peels off in the manner of a second-degree burn, often simultaneous with the formation of flaccid bullae, resulting from drug sensitivity or of unknown cause; the level of separation is subepidermal, unlike staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in which there is subcorneal change. Synonym: Lyell's syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| epidermal necrolysis, toxic | An exfoliative disease of skin seen primarily in adults and characterised by flaccid bullae and spreading erythema so that the skin has the appearance of being scalded. It results primarily from a toxic reaction to various drugs, but occasionally occurs as a result of infection, neoplastic conditions, or other exposure. (12 Dec 1998) |