title: Toxic methemoglobinemia after topical anesthesia for transesophageal echocardiography.
abstract: Topical benzocaine spray is an anesthetic agent that is commonly used during transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). This agent is believed to be relatively safe because of very low systemic absorption. We report a case of toxic methemoglobinemia induced by benzocaine use for pharyngeal anesthesia during TEE. Physicians who perform TEE and use benzocaine or other topical anesthetics need to be familiar with this potential complication and have the necessary treatment readily available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, USA.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Grauer
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Giraud
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001566:Benzocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008708:Methemoglobinemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000931:Antidotes; D008751:Methylene Blue; D001566:Benzocaine