title: Severe hypersensitivity reaction to injectable Gallium 67 in a worker exposed to silica.
abstract: Gallium 67 scintigraphy is employed in the evaluation of workers with possible pneumoconiosis. To our knowledge, however, a severe hypersensitivity reaction following the intravenous injection of Gallium 67 has not been described. We report the case of a worker chronically exposed to silica who developed an allergic cutaneous and severe articular reaction following the injection of Gallium 67 while being investigated for possible silicosis. Hilar adenopathy was noted on the chest roentgenogram and, retrospectively, circulating immune complexes were found in the patient's serum. The presence of a positive prick skin test to benzyl alcohol suggests that this preservative caused the hypersensitivity reaction.
authors.affiliation: Montreal General Hospital, Department of Community Health, Canada.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Commandeur
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Renzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001592:Benzyl Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012829:Silicosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D014581:Urticaria / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D001592:Benzyl Alcohols; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D012822:Silicon Dioxide