Investigation of anaphylactic reaction after patent blue V dye injection

Abstract

Background: Patent blue dye V (PBV) is in widespread use for sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer and melanoma. At present, the best diagnostic approach in investigating possible anaphylaxis due to PBV is not defined.

Method: We reviewed our experience of patients and the cases reported in the literature that developed an anaphylactic reaction after injection of PBV and suggest a diagnostic protocol. From May 2006 to April 2009 six patients were known to the Cardiff anaesthetics department to have suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction after injection of PBV. We amalgamated the results of the investigations of our patients with those of 42 case reports published in the literature during the last 10 years.

Results: Of 40 patients with a documented allergy history 31 patients did not have a past medical history of allergy. The median interval between PBV administration and allergic reaction was 15 min (range 1 min-180 min). Of 20 patients with hypotension 18 received inotropes. 4 patients had a fall in blood pressure as their sole symptom. 23 patients had urticaria or other allergic skin manifestations, 8 had blue wheals. 5 patients had bronchospasm. 2 patients had a cardiac arrest. They were successfully resuscitated. The median dose of PBV was 2 ml (range 0.5 ml-5 ml). Tryptase levels were elevated in 14 of 26 tested patients. Skin prick testing was positive in 24 of 30 tested patients. Intradermal testing was positive in all 13 tested patients.

Conclusion: Most patients experiencing a severe allergic reaction to PBV have no past medical history of allergy. The value of formal allergy skin testing for PBV-related allergy lies in excluding other agents as the causative factor to avoid their exposure in the future.