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From the Mercy Medical Center–North Iowa in Mason City.

Please address correspondence to Sandra Kaye Birchem, DO, 3701 Brookridge Ct, Unit 701, Des Moines, IA 50317-4956.E-mail: sandikayeb{at}hotmail.com

Acquired or toxic methemoglobinemia is an uncommon complication of topically administered anesthetic agents in patients of all ages—but particularly in pediatric and elderly patients. This report describes a case of acquired methemoglobinemia that occurred after benzocaine spray was applied orally to a 69-year-old white woman weighing 175 lb who was undergoing transesophageal echocardiography. Patient care was successfully managed. Fundamental concepts regarding methemoglobinemia are also reviewed to heighten physician awareness of this potentially life-threatening complication associated with the application of common topical anesthetic agents.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Cote and A. Denault Transesophageal echocardiography-related complications: [Complications associees a l'echocardiographie transoesophagienne] Can J Anesth, September 1, 2008; 55(9): 622 - 647. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]