Long‐term allergic dermatitis caused by sevoflurane: a clinical report

Abstract

Background: Allergy to volatile anaesthetics is extremely rare, but capable of damaging the professional career. Methods: This article presents the case of a 60-year-old surgeon who developed a skin rash on the reverse of hands, which progressively worsened and extended to distant fold areas. Blood tests were normal but for eosinophilia and risen total IgE, with normal specific globulins and skin prick tests for common allergens. After 8 years, a malfunction in the anaesthetic gas scavenging system was found, and symptoms remitted within a week following its replacement. Repeated open application test with sevoflurane led to the appearance of the same lesions in the tested areas and in distant body folds.

Occupational airborne contact dermatitis caused by sevoflurane

“…This case report suggests that occupational exposure to the volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane may cause allergic contact dermatitis. Allergic‐type adverse reactions to volatile anaesthetics are thought to be rare, and only 2 cases of allergic contact dermatitis caused by sevoflurane and 2 cases caused by isoflurane have been reported so far. Furthermore, 3 cases of occupational asthma caused by sevoflurane and isoflurane have been reported.…”

Review of Peripheral Blood Eosinophilia: Workup and Differential Diagnosis

“…It is mediated by both the innate and adaptive immune system, mostly through type 1 mechanisms [5]. There is some evidence that allergic contact dermatitis can lead to peripheral eosinophilia, notably in the cases of epoxy resin used in blunt hemodialysis needles and a surgeon's exposure to volatile anesthetics [11,12].…”