A patient presents with widespread skin detachment after drug exposure. According to the standard classification, detachment involving 10 to 30 percent of body surface area places the patient in which category?

• A SJS-TEN overlap ✓
• B Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• C Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• D Erythema multiforme major

Explanation

The Bastuji-Garin classification separates these reactions purely by body surface area detached: less than 10 percent is Stevens-Johnson syndrome, 10 to 30 percent is SJS-TEN overlap, and more than 30 percent is toxic epidermal necrolysis. This kills the most tempting distractor, option B, because many students assume any case with prominent mucosal involvement is automatically SJS regardless of extent; once detachment crosses 10 percent, the category changes.

Reference: Rook's Textbook of Dermatology, 9th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.