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1850004 
Journal Article 
Review 
Hypersensitivity to titanium osteosynthesis with impaired fracture healing, eczema, and T-cell hyperresponsiveness in vitro: case report and review of the literature 
Thomas, P; Bandl, WD; Maier, S; Summer, B; Przybilla, B 
2006 
Yes 
Contact Dermatitis
ISSN: 0105-1873
EISSN: 1600-0536 
55 
4 
199-202 
English 
16958916 
WOS:000240318400001 
There are very few reports on hypersensitivity reactions in association with titanium-based materials so that the existence of allergy to titanium is still put in question. We report on a patient in whom impaired fracture healing and eczema localized to the perioperative area developed upon titanium-based osteosynthesis. Patch testing gave no reactions to titanium nor to nickel, chromium, or cobalt. However, in the lymphocyte transformation test, the patient's lymphocytes showed markedly enhanced proliferation in vitro to titanium. After removal of the titanium material, fracture healing was achieved and the eczema cleared. Parallel to this, in vitro hyperreactivity to titanium disappeared. Although contact allergic reactions to titanium have been very rarely reported, these findings support a diagnosis of titanium allergy in our patient. 
allergy; eczema; fracture; lymphocyte transformation test; osteosynthesis; titanium; T lymphocytes