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Delayed hypersensitivity reaction after cervical disc replacement: a case report
M Lagier1, M Briere1, H Giorgi1
1Unité de chirurgie du Rachis, CHU Timone, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex 5, France.
Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Surgery & Research : OTSR
|July 25, 2015
Summary
A delayed allergic reaction to a cervical disc prosthesis caused a patient
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Allergy Immunology
Background:
- Cervical disc arthroplasty utilizes metal prostheses.
- Allergic reactions to implants are rare but possible.
Observation:
- A patient experienced recurrent neck pain, rash, and dysphagia post-arthroplasty.
- A cobalt-chromium-molybdenum disc prosthesis was implanted two years prior.
Findings:
- Allergy testing confirmed a type-4 hypersensitivity reaction to chromium.
- Surgical removal of the prosthesis and subsequent fusion resolved symptoms.
Implications:
- Delayed allergic reactions to spinal implants are uncommon.
- Consider implant allergy in recurrent symptoms with non-spinal signs.
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