Nosocomial Methemoglobinemia Resulting from Self-Administration of Benzocaine Spray
Methemoglobinemia is life-threatening and bears pathognomonic signs difficult to diagnose in real time. Local anesthetics are widely used and are known for eliciting this condition. We report a case of methemoglobinemia secondary to self-administered use of benzocaine spray. A 27-year-old woman was...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2015-01-01
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| Series: | Case Reports in Anesthesiology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/685304 |
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| author | Christopher Hoffman Hawa Abubakar Pramood Kalikiri Michael Green |
| author_facet | Christopher Hoffman Hawa Abubakar Pramood Kalikiri Michael Green |
| author_sort | Christopher Hoffman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Methemoglobinemia is life-threatening and bears pathognomonic signs difficult to diagnose in real time. Local anesthetics are widely used and are known for eliciting this condition. We report a case of methemoglobinemia secondary to self-administered use of benzocaine spray. A 27-year-old woman was found to be in respiratory distress during postoperative recovery. After desaturation persisted, arterial blood gas yielded a methemoglobin level of 47%. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous methylene blue. Review of the events revealed self-administered doses of benzocaine spray to alleviate discomfort from a nasogastric tube. We review this case in detail in addition to discussing methemoglobinemia and its relevant biochemistry, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and medical management. Given the recognized risk of methemoglobinemia associated with benzocaine use, we recommend its removal from the market in favor of safer alternatives. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e37c93fad6fa44e9a4010c63214ee991 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-6382 2090-6390 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2015-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports in Anesthesiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-e37c93fad6fa44e9a4010c63214ee9912025-02-03T01:25:39ZengWileyCase Reports in Anesthesiology2090-63822090-63902015-01-01201510.1155/2015/685304685304Nosocomial Methemoglobinemia Resulting from Self-Administration of Benzocaine SprayChristopher Hoffman0Hawa Abubakar1Pramood Kalikiri2Michael Green3Drexel University College of Medicine, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USADrexel University College of Medicine, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USADrexel University College of Medicine, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USADrexel University College of Medicine, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USAMethemoglobinemia is life-threatening and bears pathognomonic signs difficult to diagnose in real time. Local anesthetics are widely used and are known for eliciting this condition. We report a case of methemoglobinemia secondary to self-administered use of benzocaine spray. A 27-year-old woman was found to be in respiratory distress during postoperative recovery. After desaturation persisted, arterial blood gas yielded a methemoglobin level of 47%. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous methylene blue. Review of the events revealed self-administered doses of benzocaine spray to alleviate discomfort from a nasogastric tube. We review this case in detail in addition to discussing methemoglobinemia and its relevant biochemistry, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and medical management. Given the recognized risk of methemoglobinemia associated with benzocaine use, we recommend its removal from the market in favor of safer alternatives.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/685304 |
| spellingShingle | Christopher Hoffman Hawa Abubakar Pramood Kalikiri Michael Green Nosocomial Methemoglobinemia Resulting from Self-Administration of Benzocaine Spray Case Reports in Anesthesiology |
| title | Nosocomial Methemoglobinemia Resulting from Self-Administration of Benzocaine Spray |
| title_full | Nosocomial Methemoglobinemia Resulting from Self-Administration of Benzocaine Spray |
| title_fullStr | Nosocomial Methemoglobinemia Resulting from Self-Administration of Benzocaine Spray |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nosocomial Methemoglobinemia Resulting from Self-Administration of Benzocaine Spray |
| title_short | Nosocomial Methemoglobinemia Resulting from Self-Administration of Benzocaine Spray |
| title_sort | nosocomial methemoglobinemia resulting from self administration of benzocaine spray |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/685304 |
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