Ann Dermatol Vener
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Case Reports Comparative Study
[Immediate patent blue-induced hypersensitivity during sentinel node detection: The value of cutaneous tests].
Patent blue is a blue dye commonly used for sentinel node detection in the management of melanoma and breast cancer. Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to patent blue such as blue urticaria, bronchospasm or anaphylactic shock are not rare, being seen in 0.8 to 2.8% of patent blue-treated patients. ⋯ These observations underline the severity of patent blue-induced shocks with delayed onset, since they are often observed at the end of surgery. While the mode of sensitization is poorly understood, food and textile dyes are thought to play a role. Skin prick tests provide a simple and reliable method of diagnosing these events. There is a real risk of late anaphylactic shock during sentinel node detection using patent blue and discussion is needed concerning alternative methods of sentinel node detection.