2009 Volume 71 Issue 2 Pages 128-130
A 71-year-old Japanese man was referred to our clinic in July 2007 for the evaluation of itchy erythema on his abdomen, which appeared about 12 hours after abdominal ultrasonography using Ultrasonic gel for assessment of prostate cancer metastasis. Physical examination revealed well-defined edematous erythema at the site of the gel application. A patch test with ultrasonic gel showed a positive reaction. He was subsequently patch-tested using the ingredients of the gel. Readings at 48h and 72h gave a positive reaction to methylparaben. Based on these results, a diagnosis of contact dermatitis due to methylparaben, an ingredient of ultrasonic gel, was made. The eruption immediately subsided following topical application of corticosteroid ointment that does not contain methylparaben.
