Symptomatic methemoglobinemia with a commonly used topical anesthetic, cetacaine.
Severe cyanosis resulting from acquired methemoglobinemia after application of a topical anesthetic, Cetacaine spray, occurred in a 37-year-old patient following bronchoscopy for postoperative atelectasis. Response to methylene blue therapy was dramatic and complete. Attention is drawn to a dangerous adverse effect of this commonly used topical anesthetic agent.
D010129:4-Aminobenzoic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D062365:Aminobenzoates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D062366:para-Aminobenzoates
D062365:Aminobenzoates; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C010071:benzocaine, butyl aminobenzoate, tetracaine drug combination; D062366:para-Aminobenzoates; D013748:Tetracaine; D008751:Methylene Blue; D010129:4-Aminobenzoic Acid; D001566:Benzocaine