DRESS syndrome physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D. Serge Korjian M.D.

Common physical examination findings of patients with DRESS syndrome include high-grade fever, diffuse exanthematous eruption, lymphadenopathy, facial edema, abdominal tenderness, and hepatomegaly.

Physical examination findings of patients with DRESS syndrome include the following:

• Patients typically appear sick-looking and tired

• Fever (typically > 38 C)
• Tachycardia
• Tachypnea
• Hypoxemia

• Rash is usually present. The following rashes have been described:

• Diffuse exanthematous eruption (most common)
• Facial erythema
• Erythroderma
• Urticaria
• Exfolative dermatitis
• Jaundice

• Accompanying skin lesions have also been described:

• Blister formation
• Vesicle formation
• Pustule formation
• Cheilitis
• Target lesions

• Facial edema
• Oral and periral mucosal lesions
• Pharyngitis

• Lymphadenopathy

• Abdominal tenderness upon palpation of RUQ suggestive of hepatic involvement
• Hepatomegaly

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