Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia.

P M Gupta1, D S Lala, E L Arsura

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, and VA Medical Center, Salem 24153, USA.

Southern Medical Journal
|February 1, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Topical benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia, a rare but serious condition. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing this potentially fatal side effect of topical anesthetics.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Changes in gene expression during senescence of adrenocortical cells in culture.

The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology·2012
Same author

Impact of the duration of antiplatelet therapy after vertebrobasilar artery stent placement.

European journal of neurology·2006
Same author

Aspergillus infection in a hospitalised veteran population.

Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·2004
Same author

The rexinoid LG100754 is a novel RXR:PPARgamma agonist and decreases glucose levels in vivo.

Molecular endocrinology (Baltimore, Md.)·2001
Same author

Motor dysfunction on the nonhemiplegic side in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage.

Neurology India·2001
Same author

Cytomegalovirus ventriculoencephalitis presenting as a Wernicke's encephalopathy-like syndrome.

Neurology·2001

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Toxicology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Topical anesthetics are widely used in medical procedures.
  • Benzocaine is a common topical anesthetic agent.
  • Methemoglobinemia is a rare adverse effect associated with certain medications.

Observation:

  • Four cases of methemoglobinemia following topical benzocaine application are presented.
  • Patients presented with symptoms indicative of methemoglobinemia.
  • The temporal relationship between benzocaine use and symptom onset was noted.

Findings:

  • Topical benzocaine use was identified as the causative agent in all four cases.
  • The pathophysiology involves the oxidation of hemoglobin.
  • Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation and laboratory confirmation of elevated methemoglobin levels.

Related Experiment Videos

Implications:

  • Healthcare providers using topical anesthetics must be aware of benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia.
  • Prompt recognition and management can prevent severe morbidity and mortality.
  • This highlights the importance of understanding the risks associated with common anesthetic agents.