Metal Hypersensitivity Reactions Following Spinal Implants: A Systematic Review

Metal hypersensitivity reactions are infrequently reported but clinically significant after spinal implant surgery. Clinical presentation can mimic infection or mechanical failure, making diagnosis difficult. Evidence to guide diagnosis and management is largely limited to short case series and case reports. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and outcomes of metal hypersensitivity associated with spinal implants.

A systematic review was conducted of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus from inception through June 22, 2026, in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Title and abstract screening, full-text review, and data extraction were performed independently by 2 reviewers with conflicts resolved by a third reviewer. Eligible studies included adult patients with suspected or confirmed metal hypersensitivity following spinal implant surgery that reported patient-level clinical outcomes.