Hyperpigmentation, severe alopecia, and six days of instability in a case of severe methotrexate hypersensitivity reaction

Abstract

Introduction Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is an emergency condition in the gynecologic field. Methotrexate (MTX) is a drug of choice for the medical treatment of EP. Severe adverse events are rare among patients treated with MTX for this condition. Reason for report We describe a woman with severe multi-organ involvement experiencing about six days of instability after treatment with just a single-dose MTX for EP. This life-threatening condition is not common with a single dose of MTX. Case summary A 30-year-old healthy woman was treated medically with MTX for an EP. Three days later the patient was admitted to the emergency department of our hospital with generalized pustular rashes, alopecia, hyperpigmentation, nausea and vomiting, oral ulcers, and raised Creatinine level. Four days later due to pancytopenia, fever, and loss of consciousness, she was transferred to the intensive care unit and was intubated. Outcome After 38 days of hospitalization, treatment was successful with leucovorin and supportive care and the patient’s symptoms and clinical manifestations were regressed.