title: Anaphylactic shock from a latex allergy in a patient with spinal trauma.
abstract: Allergy to latex is a condition that affects patients as well as health care workers. It is a spectrum of immunologic disorders that ranges from mild hypersensitivity to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Beginning in the early 1970s, the health care community has become more aware of this entity, leading to many improvements in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of patients with latex allergy. Many hospitals have developed protocols and procedures for patients with latex sensitivity. However, some physicians remain unaware of the logistics of taking care of patients with this disorder. We present a case of a severe anaphylactic reaction to latex in a trauma patient with a spinal cord injury. The difficulty of treating the acutely injured patient with this disorder is illustrated. A list of equipment that may be included in a latex-free emergency kit is provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Traumatology and Surgical Critical Care, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 2 Dulles, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. pryorj@uphs.upenn.edu
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pryor
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vonfricken
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seibel
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Kauder
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Schwab
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000276:immunology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*