Anaphylactic Reaction to Isosulfan Blue Used for Sentinel Node Biopsy

Case Report and Literature Review

Efron, Philip MD
Knudsen, Ellen CRNA
Hirshorn, Stephen MD
Copeland, Edward M. III MD

^*Department of Surgery, Shands Hospital, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
^†Department of Anesthesia, Shands Hospital, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Philip Efron, MD, Department of Surgery, Shands Hospital, P.O. Box 100286, Gainesville, FL 32610-0286, USA.

The Breast Journal 8(6):p 396-399, November-December 2002.

Isosulfan blue is a commonly used agent in the detection of sentinel lymph nodes during cancer surgery. Similar to any drug, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to this increasingly popular chemical during breast cancer operations. We present one case of anaphylactic shock in response to injection of isosulfan blue for the purpose of localizing the sentinel node and review the medical literature. A thorough knowledge of possible isosulfan blue side effects, including their presentation and subsequent therapy, is essential for the modern breast surgeon.