ABSTRACT
We present a successful case of a patient with multiple metal allergy—cobalt, nickel, chromium, and zinc—who had a past history of systemic metal dermatitis. He was a 58-year-old man who complained of exertional chest discomfort. After admission, he had a fever and his blood culture was positive with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Three days later, multiple micro cerebral infraction was detected in magnetic resonance imaging. After an improvement of inflammatory reaction, he was transferred to our facility for cardiac examination. Moderate mitral regurgitation due to valve perforation and multiple coronary vessel stenosis were detected. Mitral valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting were planned to perform. We chose surgical materials based on a preoperative epicutaneous (patch) test and his clinical course was uneventful without any allergic reaction. Metal contact allergy is an important issue in cardiovascular surgery. A collaboration with dermatologists is essential for the preparation of surgical materials.
ABSTRACT
A 85-year-old man with an abnormal shadow on X-ray was given a diagnosis of aortic arch aneurysm by CT scan. Preoperative additional careful examinations revealed that his dominant vertebral artery was the left one and he had an allergy to metals such as platinum, tin and zinc. He underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) after revascularization of left vertebral artery by bypass grafting between bilateral axillary arteries and the left common carotid artery with a T-shape graft. Because of the position of the origin of the left vertebral artery from the left subclavian artery was comparatively proximal part, we made it transposition more distally to occlude the LSA by ligation. We selected conformable GORE® TAG® for zone-1 TEVAR because the stent graft, which was not composed of allergic metals, contained only less allergic metals than any other devices commercially available. More than two years have passed since his discharge and he was followed as an outpatient without any allergic symptom and other remarkable complications. Here, we report a rare case of 2 debranching TEVAR for aortic arch aneurysm with metal allergy.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chromium is one of the most common metal allergens that cause allergic contact dermatitis. European regulation of chromium (VI) content in cement was first implemented in 2005, and regulation of chromium in leather in 2015. OBJECTIVE: This clinical study was performed to obtain basic data on subjects with allergic contact dermatitis due to chromium in Korea. We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with chromium allergy among subjects with contact dermatitis who underwent patch tests. METHODS: Patch test data from June 1998 to January 2014 were retrospectively analyzed (n=975; men=290, women=685). Patients who showed positive reactions to potassium dichromate (chromium [+] group; n=58) and who showed positive reactions to other allergens except potassium dichromate (others [+] group; n=497) were identified and the characteristics of both groups were compared. Patients who only reacted to chromium (only chromium group; n=17) were identified, and their clinical characteristics were investigated. The prevalence of chromium allergy was analyzed in each 4-year period to study the changes over time. RESULTS: The sensitization rate of potassium dichromate was 5.9% (n=58) and women comprised 72.4% (n=42) of the chromium (+) group. Hands and feet were more frequently affected in the chromium (+) group (p=0.002 and 0.019, respectively). Occupational dermatitis was significantly less common in the chromium (+) group. Chromium allergy was the most prevalent in patients in their 50s (8.4%). The only chromium group had significantly more number of patients aged 40 years or older (p=0.004). The prevalence of chromium allergy was 13.5% during 1998~2002, but decreased to 5.4% during 2010~2014. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of patients with chromium allergy suggests that chromium exposure in daily activities, including leather exposure, is more relevant than occupational exposure for most patients. The prevalence of chromium allergy has been decreasing in Korea, which may be an effect of voluntary regulation of chromium content in cement by manufacturers.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Allergens , Chromium , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact , Dermatitis, Contact , Dermatitis, Occupational , Foot , Hand , Hypersensitivity , Korea , Occupational Exposure , Patch Tests , Potassium Dichromate , Prevalence , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to obtain a consensus amongst joint arthroplasty experts with regards to metal allergy screening prior to joint arthroplasty and the choice of implant in patients with potential metal allergy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A web based Delphi consensus study was used including orthopaedic surgeons that had previously published on the topic of knee, hip or shoulder arthroplasty. Two rounds of questionnaires were sent via electronic mail. Consensus was considered reached if agreement was 60% or higher. RESULTS: Eighteen surgeons responded to the first and 17 to the second round of questionnaires. There was consensus that patients having metal arthroplasty surgery should not be routinely questioned about metal allergy prior to surgery. There was consensus that patch testing is not necessary even if metal allergy is suspected. Most respondents agreed in proceeding with cobalt chromium or stainless steel implant in patients suspected of metal allergy regardless of the results of cutaneous patch testing. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus study suggests that routine metal allergy screening prior to joint arthroplasty is not essential. The use of traditional cobalt chromium/stainless steel implants is recommended regardless of the patient's metal allergy status based on expert opinion through this study.
Subject(s)
Humans , Arthroplasty , Chromium , Cobalt , Consensus , Surveys and Questionnaires , Delphi Technique , Electronic Mail , Expert Testimony , Hip , Hypersensitivity , Joints , Knee , Mass Screening , Patch Tests , Shoulder , Stainless Steel , SteelABSTRACT
A 58-year-old man who complained of dyspnea on effort was given a diagnosis of decompensated congestive heart failure. Echocardiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation and cardiomegaly. We decided to perform aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve, however his past history made us suspicious of allergy to metal. From his previous patient records, we determined he was allergic to many metals : gold, iron, platinum, cobalt, chrome, bronze, and zinc. Newly performed skin patch tests showed positive reactions to aluminum, tin, palladium, indium, iridium and stainless steel. We selected a CarboMedics mechanical valve made of nickel-titanium alloy. Aortic valve replacement with a 27-mm CarboMedics mechanical valve was performed by median sternotomy. At sternum closure, we used polyester non-absorbable suture thread, instead of surgical steel wire, because it contains stainless steel. His postoperative progress was good and he was discharged on the 10th postoperative day. One year after surgery he is doing well without any allergic symptoms.
ABSTRACT
The patch test is the most reliable method for diagnosing a metal allergy. However, interpretation of patch test results depends on the experience of the investigator and on the conditions of the individual patient. In the case of patch tests for metal salts, irritant reactions such as pustular or follicular reactions are quite common. Therefore, one must be careful not to interpret irritant reactions as allergic responses, and objective standards to evaluate erythema in patch tests need to be established.In the present study, we attempted to objectively evaluate patch test results for metal salts using an erythema index meter. We used the Erythema Index Difference (EID) (patch test site erythema index (EI) minus the mean EI of healthy skin outside the patch test area and at the unit tape site) rather than the EI itself in order to eliminate the effects of the patch test unit and individual differences. We measured the EID over time in patients with suspected metal allergies to various metals. Significant differences in EID were observed among ++ assessments, + assessments and irritant reactions based on International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) standards. In considering changes in EID over time, allergic and irritant reactions can be discriminated with high sensitivity (73.3%) and specificity (91.2%).These results suggest that the measurement of erythema over time with an erythema index meter is useful for the objective assessment of metal patch test reactions.
ABSTRACT
A 66-year-old woman who had percutaneous mitral valve commissurotomy 12 years before was admitted complaining of dyspnea on effort. Echocardiography showed severe mitral stenosis and regurgitation, and moderate tricuspid regurgitation associated with atrial fibrillation. Based on her past history we suspected allergy to metal, and skin patch tests showed a positive reaction to zinc, manganese, nickel, cobalt, dichromate, stainless steel, titanium alloys, and nickel-chromium-cobalt alloys. We selected an artificial organ which would not cause an allergic reaction. The St. Jude Medical standard cuff mechanical valve was the only compatible prosthetic valve. Anterolateral right thoracotomy, instead of median sternotomy, was selected. Mitral valve replacement with a 27-mm St. Jude Medical standard cuff mechanical valve and tricuspid valve annuloplasty with a 27-mm Duran flexible band were performed. Her postoperative course was uneventful. She is doing well without any allergic symptom 18 months after the surgery.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The frequency and importance of contact allergy in patients with atopic dermatitis(AD) have been debated. Although the study about patch test in AD is common in foreign countrles, it is rare in our country. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to examine the patch test in patients with AD and to know the frequency of contact sensitization and the correlation between metal allergy history and patch test reaction to nickel in patients with AD and non-atopic dermatitis(NAD) METHODS: One hundred nine patients with AD and one hundred twelve patients without AD were patch tested and questioned about history of metal allergy. RESULTS: 1. The contact sensitivity rate in AD was higher than NAD by 85.3%, 72.3% respectively. But there was statistically no significant difference in the two groups. 2. Positive contact allergens in all patients were cobalt, chromate, nickel, thimerosal, mercury. 3. Positive contact allergens in AD were cobalt, nickel, potassium, thimerosal, formaldehyde, neomycin and in NAD were cobalt, chromate, nickel, mercury, fragrance mix, 4-phenylenediqamine base. 4. The frequency of metal allergy history in all patients was 29% and it was 37.6% in AD and 20.5% in NAD. 5. Patients with metal allergy history had higher positive rate to nickel than patients without metal allergy history. 6. Patients with metal allergy history and AD had higher positive rate to nickel than patients with metal allergy history and NAD. 7. Patients who were positive to nickel were also positive to cobalt, chromate. CONCLUSION: This study shows that contact sensitivity is relatively common in AD, and metals including nickel are important allergens in AD. Therefore when the symptoms of AD are aggravated, it is important to perform the patch test, considering the possibility of contact dermatitis.