BACKGROUND:

The appearance of erythematous, blanchable patches or plaques overlying an implant suggests possible reticular telangiectatic erythema (RTE). RTE is a benign reactive cutaneous manifestation that can present following the implantation of a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator or intrathecal infusion pump in an otherwise asymptomatic, non-infectious patient.

OBJECTIVE:

To demonstrate the variety in clinical presentation of patients presenting with RTE or similar patch test-negative post-implantation erythema.

PATIENTS/MATERIALS/METHODS:

After institutional board approval had been obtained, patient information was obtained from electronic medical record files, which included surgical reports, pathology reports, and notes from outpatient encounters.

RESULTS:

We report post-implantation erythema following insertion of an elbow prosthesis, a knee prosthesis, and a spinal cord stimulator, which have not previously been cited as aetiologies of RTE.

CONCLUSION:

Owing to the delayed onset and variable recovery, RTE remains a diagnostic challenge. RTE should be included in the differential diagnosis of any patient presenting with erythema over the site of a previously implanted device.

© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.