Article

Contact dermatitis is a frequent inflammatory skin disease. A
suspected diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, a plausible contact to
allergens and a suitable history of dermatitis. Therefore, careful diagnosis by
patch testing is of great importance because the patch testing is important to
find out which allergen/material causes the complaints. Metallic allergens such
as cobalt are among the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, but
frequencies of contact dermatitis to these allergens may vary in different skin
areas. Here, we report an unusual case of cobalt allergy on the skin contact with
the prosthetic leg of a 30-year-old female patient. CASE DESCRIPTION AND METHODS:
The patient developed maculopapular and vesicular lesions on her contact region
of residual limb to prosthetic leg. FINDINGS AND OUTCOME: She underwent standard
patch testing, which resulted in a strong positive reaction to cobalt chloride.
CONCLUSION: This case report may serve to remind doctors to be aware of potential
allergic reactions to prostheses and to enable them to recognize a metal allergy
if it appears. Prosthetists should also be reminded of potential allergic
reactions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cobalt can be used as an accelerator in making a
prosthetic socket. Several cases have been reported concerning allergies to
components of the prosthetic socket. This is the first report of sensitization to
cobalt which is used in making a prosthetic leg.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS