title: Methemoglobinemia induced by topical anesthetic (benzocaine).
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Linares
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Peretz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chin
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000368:Aged; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004947:Esophagus; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation; D008297:Male; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001566:Benzocaine