Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 7/23/2009

Question
A friend of mine recently had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome on his left hand and shortly after noticed a rash. The peculiar thing is that the rash is very specifically along the radial artery up his left arm and he says continues onto his body. I do mean a very specific line that looks similar to a poison ivy rash but directly and only along that artery going up his arm. It has been several months now since the surgery and the rash is just as prominent as it was when it first appeared. He returned to the dr. to question it and was simply told that they had no idea what it could be. He is limited by his insurance to seeing this dr. but we are suspicious that they are covering something up. Do you have any idea what this may be or what he can do? Thank you so much for your help.

Answer
I have no idea what it could be! I assume that he has no other problems related to the surgery other than the rash. Generally rashes that follow a vessel are localized inflamations that follow the blood flow but you said it also goes onto his body and it has been months so this is highly unlikely. It does not sound like an allergy and it certainly is not related to the anesthesia so I too am at a loss. I don't think it is a coverup.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMb-Galveston