Nickel allergy and osteomyelitis in a patient with metal osteosynthesis of a jaw fracture.

Abstract

A 27-year-old female, after a fracture of the mandible treated with osteosynthesis and after a difficult extraction, developed osteomyelitis with fistulation and sequestration. Sequestrectomy and extraction of the teeth in the osteomyelitic area did not clear the patient of symptoms. A patch test to nickel turned out to be positive. After removal of the stainless steel cerclage in the mandible, clinical and radiographic changes returned to normal within 2 and 8 weeks, respectively. It is concluded that, whenever acute treatment does not take priority, patch tests comprising nickel, cobalt and chromium should be performed in patients who are candidates for metal osteosynthesis.

• Authors: B Roed-Petersen, J Roed-Petersen, K D Jørgensen
• Journal: Contact dermatitis (Contact Dermatitis) Vol. 5 Issue 2 Pg. 108-12 (Mar 1979) ISSN: 0105-1873 [Print] England
• PMID: 467023 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Nickel

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Fracture Fixation, Internal
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity (etiology)
• Mandibular Fractures (surgery)
• Nickel (adverse effects)
• Osteomyelitis (etiology)
• Patch Tests