title: [Implant allergy register--a first report].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are case reports about patients with metal implant allergy. However, large-scale observations regarding frequency and elicitors are lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  For 5 years we have been collecting data in a metal allergy register. Information about history, clinical picture, and allergy test results in patients with suspected allergy to metal implants, mostly osteosynthesis and arthroplasty materials, is obtained by means of a special consultation and by report forms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Major complaints of the 239 patients were pain (68.2%), swelling (42.1%), and erythema (33.5%). A metal allergy was found in 29.6% of the patients, and 24.8% were allergic to potential bone cement components. In addition, peculiar reactions such as a persistent inflammatory response to metal particles in nickel/cobalt-allergic patients or the disappearance of complaints upon revision surgery using titanium-based materials were seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After excluding causes such as infection or mechanical failure, allergy diagnosis using a patch test with implant metals and bone cement components is recommended in cases of suspected implant allergy.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Frauenlobstrasse 9-11, 80337, München, Deutschland. Ricarda.Eben@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eben
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walk
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Summer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D001843:Bone Cements; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D008670:Metals; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements; D008670:Metals