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Methemoglobinemia induced by topical anesthetic (benzocaine)
L A Linares1, T Y Peretz, J Chin
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York.
Abstract:
Methemoglobinemia is a condition in which more than 2% of the hemoglobin of the blood has been oxidized to the ferric form, a molecule which is incapable of binding oxygen or carbon dioxide. Clinically, the patient appears lethargic, cyanotic, and does not respond to oxygen. We describe a patient with esophageal carcinoma who developed severe methoglobinemia following application of benzocaine in spray for local anesthesia prior to intraluminal irradiation. Review of the literature is presented.