Does Spinal Block Through Tattooed Skin Cause Histological Changes in Nervous Tissue and Meninges?

Tattoos are defined as the introduction of exogenous pigments into the dermis in order to produce a permanent design. This process may occur unintentional or may be deliberately administered for cosmetic or medical reasons. Tattoos have been around for over 5000 years and over time have evolved to represent a common cosmetic practice worldwide. Currently, adverse reactions are relatively rare and generally unpredictable and predominantly include immune-mediated reactions and skin infections. Along with better healthcare standards and more stringent public health mandates such as the provision of disposable needles, major infectious complications related to hepatitis and human retroviral infections have decreased significantly. When they do occur, skin infections are most frequently associated with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. The aim of this study is to review the types and rates of medical complications of permanent tattoos. PubMed search and search dates were open ended. Acute local inflammation is the most common complication, but infections, allergic contact dermatitis, and other inflammatory or immune responses that are not well-characterized may occur. As many patients with immune reactions to tattoos do not react on skin or patch testing, it is postulated that the antigens contained in dyes or pigments are such small molecules that they need to be haptenized in order to become immunogenic. Red ink is associated more frequently with long-term reactions, including granulomatous and pseudolymphomatous phenomena or morphea-like lesions and vasculitis. Exacerbation of preexisting psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and pyoderma gangrenosum may occur after tattooing. There is no well-defined association between cancer and tattoos. The treatment of tattoo-related complications may include local destructive measures (cryotherapy, electro-surgery, dermabrasion, chemical destruction, ablative laser destruction), surgical excision, and thermolysis of the pigment using Q-switched laser therapy.

show abstract

Medical Complications of Tattoos: A Comprehensive Review

Islam

Chang

Selmi

et al. 2016

Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol

129

201

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Is it safe to vaccinate within a tattoo?

Kluger

2021

Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The need for an epidural “window of opportunity” in pregnant women with a lumbar tattoo

Zipori

Jakobi

Solt

et al. 2018

International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

hi@scite.ai

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Does Spinal Block Through Tattooed Skin Cause Histological Changes in Nervous Tissue and Meninges?

Abstract: On the basis of the present results, intrathecal injection of saline through a needle inserted through tattooed skin is capable of producing histological changes over the meninges of rabbits. Ink fragments were entrapped inside the spinal needles, despite the presence of a stylet.

Cited by 13 publications

References 24 publications

Medical Complications of Tattoos: A Comprehensive Review

Medical Complications of Tattoos: A Comprehensive Review

Is it safe to vaccinate within a tattoo?

The need for an epidural “window of opportunity” in pregnant women with a lumbar tattoo

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About