Severe generalized dermatitis in a nickel-allergic patient with a popliteal artery nitinol stent.

We present the case of a patient who developed a full-body desquamating macular-papular, pruritic rash after endovascular placement of a popliteal artery nitinol stent for acute limb ischemia. The rash was resistant to high-dose steroid and immunosuppressive treatment and intensive topical treatment. Patch testing revealed nickel allergy. The stented arterial segment was removed, with significant improvement in his symptoms that allowed the cessation of prednisone and topical treatments. The epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical effect of nickel allergy are discussed in addition to the use of nickel-alloy stents.