Etti Mor-Yosef, a resident of Ofakim, suffered from Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which endangered her life. Treatment by a multi-professional team at the General Intensive Care Department at Soroka University Medical Center saved her life.
Etti Mor Yosef, in her forties, a resident of Ofakim and mother of three, was referred to Soroka's Emergency Medical Department with a rash and shortness of breath. She was treated intensively, quickly, and decisively, as called for in cases of severe allergic reactions, and transferred to the General Intensive Care Department. In a short time, the skin condition worsened, and she required ventilation.
A multidisciplinary team that included intensive care physicians, dermatologists, and ophthalmologists diagnosed a rare syndrome called Stevens-Johnson and began the appropriate treatment.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is manifested in a rash, pain in the skin, and swelling of the face and tongue. Those who suffer from it develop additional symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, and burning eyes. The rash consists of blisters that spread over all areas of the skin within a few hours to days. They also appear on the body's mucous membranes in the mouth, eyes, and nose. After several days, the skin affected by the blisters is shed. Eventually, sufferers of the syndrome lose a great deal of skin tissue.
The severe reaction of the skin and mucous membranes is considered a medical emergency, requiring hospitalization and appropriate treatment to prevent further complications. The recovery is long and difficult and can take several weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the condition and when treatment begins.
Dr. Amit Frankel, director of the unit for the detection and management of patients at risk and a senior physician in the General Intensive Care Department, said, “Etti was referred in serious condition and ventilated within a short time. Immediately after diagnosing the rare syndrome, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to ensure she received the most advanced and precise treatment. It's important to understand that the syndrome is so rare that the medical literature on it is very limited, as is the treatment experience. After reviewing the literature, a special drug was ordered from the hospital pharmacy, and on the same day, we started to administer it to her. She was hospitalized in a special isolation room," he recalled.
Dr. Frankel added, “This is a very rare syndrome that is considered life-threatening and even today is still accompanied by high mortality and disability rates. The syndrome usually develops within a few hours, in most cases following exposure to the drug [to which the patient is allergic], and includes severe skin damage, similar to a burn, that appears on large areas of the skin, as well as damage to the mucous membranes. Undoubtedly, the cooperation between specialists from different fields, including dermatology, ophthalmology, anesthesiology, and others, resulted in the success of the treatment and Etti's recovery. The joy of the staff members when Etti was transferred from the Intensive Care Department to Internal Medicine Department A after weeks of ventilation and intensive care was especially intense."
Etti Mor Yosef, the patient whose life was saved, said with emotion: “A huge thank you to the medical and nursing staff in Soroka who fought for my life. Only after my condition improved did I realize the magnitude of their efforts. Fortunately, I ended up safe and in good hands. They were my angels who fought for my life together with me. They were there for me during critical moments and didn't leave me for a second."
