Nickel allergy in a patient after nitinol stent placement

Abstract

We report a case involving a patient who developed a polymorphic rash and prurigo lesions on the limbs and anterior thorax, accompanied by an urticarial reaction on the back, following the endovascular placement of a femoral and iliac nitinol stent for critical limb ischemia. Patch testing identified a nickel allergy. The patient responded well to corticosteroid therapy, showing significant clinical improvement. This report discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical implications of nickel allergy, particularly in the context of using nickel-alloy stents.