[Relevance of clinical signs of hypersensitivity in cases of halothane hepatitis]

Abstract

142 patients with postoperative jaundice following anaesthesia with halothane were divided into two groups:-group A (76 cases) in which halothane appeared to be the sole responsible agent for jaundice, and- group B (66 cases) in which other causes were detected. The incidence of clinical signs considered to be specific for halothane-induced hepatitis (skin rash, arthralgia, bronchospasm, fever of unexplained origin, leukocytosis) was the same in both groups. Only a high eosinophil count was more common in group A. The author found a clear-cut relationship between the frequency of exposure and the onset of hepatitis as well as a shortening of the latent period with increasing numbers of exposures.