Potential hazard of methylene blue.
The administration of methylene blue to assist the identification of insulin secreting pancreatic adenomata, during surgery in a patient with normal haemoglobin and red cells, was associated with an increase in the methaemoglobin concentration from 0.6% to 7.1%. In patients with unstable haemoglobins or abnormalities of the hexose monophosphate pathway the administration of large amounts of methylene blue is potentially dangerous.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D008297:Male; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism
D007328:Insulin; D008751:Methylene Blue