Identification of sulfhemoglobinemia after surgical polypectomy.
Sulfhemoglobinemia (SHb) is an uncommon cause of cyanosis that is predominantly drug-induced in adults. We report an unusual case of sodium sulfate-induced sulfhemoglobinemia in a 61-year-old woman after surgical polypectomy. Fractional hemoglobin derivates were assayed by spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. The SHb ratio was 8.6% in the first sample and 3.77% a month later measured by spectrophotometry. In the blood hemolysate, a new peak was identified as SHb with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC showed the presence of 9.37% SHb in the first sample and 4.88% a month later. After removing the suspected toxic agent the cyanosis decreased significantly. The findings underline the importance of routine SHb detection in cyanosis of unknown origin especially in emergency cases.
Harangi
Mariann
M
Department of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Debrecen. Hungary.
Mátyus
János
J
Nagy
Erzsébet
E
Nagy
Emöke
E
Paragh
György
G
Balla
József
J
Oláh
Anna V
AV
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003248:Constipation / Q000517:prevention & control; D003490:Cyanosis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013431:Sulfates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013435:Sulfhemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D013436:Sulfhemoglobinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*
D013431:Sulfates; C012036:sodium sulfate; D013435:Sulfhemoglobin