title: Methemoglobinemia as a result of accidental lacquer thinner poisoning.
abstract: Lacquer thinner, commonly used for removing household paints, is known to contain a mixture of various aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons and naptha; if ingested, it may cause methemoglobinemia. We report two cases who presented to us with a history of accidental ingestion of paint thinner. Both the patients had very high levels of methemoglobin and were treated with methylene blue (MB), but did not respond to the MB therapy. One of them received an exchange transfusion followed again by MB and survived. Unfortunately the other patient succumbed to the poisoning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ranju
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Stalin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vinayagam
authors.forename: Homay
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vajifdar