These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: A rare side effect of transesophageal echocardiography: methemoglobinemia from topical benzocaine anesthesia.
    Author: Jaffery Z, Ananthasubramaniam K.
    Journal: Eur J Echocardiogr; 2008 Mar; 9(2):289-90. PubMed ID: 17074536.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Benzocaine induced methemoglobinemia is an uncommon, potentially fatal condition. CASE REPORT: A 44-year-old woman with a history of hepatitis C and intravenous drug use was referred for transesophageal echocardiography for bacteremia evaluation. During induction of topical anesthesia with benzocaine spray she became cyanotic. Pulse oximetry revealed marked desaturation (75%) but was discordant from arterial blood O(2) saturation (99%). Due to clinical suspicion, methemoglobin level was measured and noted to be 69%. The patient was treated with 2 mg/kg of methylene blue intravenously with resolution of her symptoms. CONCLUSION: Physicians using topical anesthesia in endoscopic suites should be aware of this rare, potentially life-threatening treatable condition. High clinical suspicion and availability of methylene blue in endoscopy suites will facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]