Methemoglobinemia Secondary to Benzocaine Topical Anesthetic.
Publication/Presentation Date
12-1-1996
Abstract
An 80-year-old white woman with a history of hypertension presented to the Emergency Department with bright red bleeding from the rectum. She was treated with 5 mg of midazolam and benzocaine topical anesthetic spray prior to undergoing colonoscopy and esophageal gastroduodenoscopy. Thirty minutes after endoscopy, the patient became cyanotic and dyspneic; she was suffering from methemoglobinemia, a rare complication secondary to the use of benzocaine topical anesthetic spray. After i.v. administration of methylene blue, 120 mg (2 mg/kg) in 100 cc of normal saline solution, the cyanosis and dyspnea resolved.
Volume
6
Issue
6
First Page
492
Last Page
493
ISSN
1051-7200
Published In/Presented At
Lee, E., Boorse, R., & Marcinczyk, M. (1996). Methemoglobinemia secondary to benzocaine topical anesthetic. Surgical Laparoscopy & Endoscopy, 6(6), 492-493.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Medical Specialties | Surgery
PubMedID
8948046
Department(s)
Department of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Surgery Faculty
Document Type
Article