Editorial Type:
Article Category: Case Report
 | 
Online Publication Date: Jan 01, 2005

Benzocaine-induced Methemoglobinemia

DDS and
DMD, MD
Page Range: 136 – 139
DOI: 10.2344/0003-3006(2005)52[136:BM]2.0.CO;2
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Abstract

A case is reported in which a patient developed methemoglobinemia-induced cyanosis while under general anesthesia during surgery for multiple fascial space infections. The cause of methemoglobinemia was 20% benzocaine spray used for local anesthesia before intubation. Acutely developing methemoglobinemia is infrequently encountered in clinical practice. When confronted with cyanosis in the absence of cardiac or pulmonary disease, one must seriously consider the diagnosis of methe-moglobinemia. The etiology of methemoglobinemia, the causative agents, the diagnosis, and the emergency treatment required are discussed.

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Copyright: © 2005 by the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology

Contributor Notes

Address correspondence to Frederick Hegedus, DDS, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 130 South Ninth Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Received: Jan 24, 2004
Accepted: Jul 26, 2005