Post-Implantation Erythema
October 2012
in “
Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft
”
TLDR Post-implantation erythema is a red skin condition after medical device implantation that sometimes goes away on its own.
The document described Post-implantation erythema (PIE), a condition that occurs after the implantation of medical devices, characterized by erythema without warmth or tenderness. Histological examination typically shows dilation and sometimes proliferation of blood and lymph vessels, with occasional inflammatory infiltrate. The cause of PIE is not well understood, and its progression can vary, with some cases resolving on their own. Two patient cases were presented: a 77-year-old woman with persistent erythema after shoulder hemiprosthesis implantation whose condition resolved spontaneously after a year, and a 66-year-old man with redness and itching after pain pump implantation who needed a replacement device from a different manufacturer. PIE should be considered as a differential diagnosis for suspected infection or contact allergy. Additionally, the document mentioned an unrelated case of hyperandrogenism in a 20-year-old woman.
