Erythema multiforme induced by the combination of phenytoin and cerebral irradiation

The authors report the case of erythema multiforme characterized by its cephalic onset and its rise after association phenytoin and cranial irradiation, for glioblastoma with epileptic fits. Eight similar cases are observed in literature with the same timing. Benign outcome is not always the rule because 2 patients died. This type of reaction being not forseeing, and outcome very varying, we suggest to avoid phenytoin in patients having a cerebral tumor revealed by epilepsy and needing a cranial irradiation.