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CASE REPORT |
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 describes a case in which benzocaine was applied to a patient's throat using Hurricaine topical anesthetic aerosol spray (20% benzocaine) (Beutlich LP Pharmaceuticals, Waukegan, Ill) in preparation for transesophageal echocardiography.
Benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia is an uncommon occurrence in clinical practice, and though few reports of benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia are available in the English-language cardiology literature, knowledge of this potentially life-threatening condition is essential for clinicians performing routine procedures in which topically administered anesthetic agents are used.
When untreated, methemoglobinemia can lead to major cardiopulmonary compromise, neurologic sequela, and even death. Physicians who perform procedures involving the application of topical anesthesia must be aware of these potential adverse effects.
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Report of Case |
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 Top Report of Case Review of LiteratureCommentReferences |
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The patient had a history of ischemic heart disease, postcoronary artery bypass surgery, hypertension, postmenopausal hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and symptomatic atrial fibrillation that was believed to be recent though the specific time of onset was unclear. She was a nonsmoker and reported an unconfirmed allergy to diazepam. The patient was currently taking the following medications: amiodarone, aspirin, enoxaparin, glyburide, levothyroxine sodium, metoprolol succinate, niacin as a dietary supplement, rabeprazole sodium, simvastatin, and warfarin sodium. Her physical examination preprocedure was notable only for atrial fibrillation, and her oxygen saturation level was 99% by room-air pulse oximetry. Previous laboratory studies were within normal ranges, and an electrocardiogram performed the previous day demonstrated atrial fibrillation with a controlled heart rate and nonspecific changes.
During transesophageal echocardiogram, the patient's oxygen saturation level was measured at 90% by room-air pulse oximetry, so the oxygen level (as delivered by nasal cannula) was adjusted to a saturation level of 92%. Results from the procedure were within normal limits; therefore, synchronized cardioversion was completed and was successful.
At 15 minutes postprocedure, however, the patient developed central cyanosis, and her oxygen saturation level suddenly decreased to 70%. Her lung fields were clear and she did not exhibit chest pain or arrhythmia. Vital signs were stable. An arterial blood sample was taken and appeared chocolate in color (Figure 1).
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The patient was admitted to inpatient care and was observed overnight. The next morning, her methemoglobin level had decreased to 0.9%. The rest of her hospitalization (2 days total) was uneventful, and she was discharged that day with no further complications.
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Review of Literature |
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TopReport of CaseReview of LiteratureCommentReferences |
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Discussion
Acquired methemoglobinemia is thought to be a complication of benzocaine, a
topical anesthetic commonly used for a variety of procedures, including dental
procedures, endoscopy, and endotracheal intubation. Since the condition was
first documented in a 1950 case report by
Bernstein,1 fewer
than 100 cases were reported as of 1994.
In addition to benzocaine products, various other chemicals and medications can accelerate the formation of methemoglobin, such as acetanilide, aniline dyes, antimalarial agents, flutamide, metoclopramide hydrochloride, nitrate and nitrite compounds, nitric oxide (inhaled), phenacetin, phenazopyridine hydrochloride, phenytoin, probenecid, sodium nitroprusside, and sulfonamides. It is thought that some of these agents may cause methemoglobinemia indirectly, by the formation of oxygen-free radicals during their breakdown, rather than directly from the chemical or medication itself.2
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Etiologic Process and Pathophysiology
Methemoglobinemia refers to the presence of an elevated, circulating
fraction of methemoglobin within the erythrocytes. Normal hemoglobin contains
an iron molecule that exists in the divalent ferrous state (Fe2+).
Methemoglobin results from the conversion of the iron ferrous ion
(Fe2+) into a trivalent ferric (Fe3+) state, making it
unable to bind oxygen (ie, unable to carry oxygen and carbon
dioxide).3
Methemoglobinemia increases the affinity of normal hemoglobin for oxygen,
thereby hindering oxygen release in the tissue. This condition results in
severe cyanosis out of proportion to the degree of respiratory distress and a
dark pigment that causes blood to appear chocolate in color. Methemoglobin is
continuously formed in red blood cells and is reduced to deoxyhemoglobin by
nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent
methemoglobinemia. In a normal physiologic state, the methemoglobin level is
less than 2% of normal
hemoglobin.4
Methemoglobinemia can be either hereditary or acquired (toxic). Hereditary methemoglobinemia is caused by a deficiency of NADPH methemoglobin reductase, an erythrocyte enzyme that usually maintains methemoglobin levels within the normal range. This autosomal recessive disease is most common in the Inuit population and in Alaskan Native Americans. Hemoglobin M is another form of congenital methemoglobinemia characterized by an abnormal hemoglobin molecule.
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Although nearly all topical anesthetic preparations have been associated with methemoglobinemia, benzocaine is the most common and is the largest component of Cetacaine topical anesthetic (benzocaine/butamben/tetracaine hydrochloride) (Cetylite Industries, Pennsauken, NJ) formulations.6
Diagnosis
Methemoglobinemia should be immediately suspected in any patient who has
central cyanosis and a decrease in oxygen saturation level that develops after
the administration of benzocaine for topical anesthesia.
Administration of high concentrations of oxygen via nasal cannula in these patients typically does not correct the decrease in oxygen saturation levels. In patients to whom topical benzocaine has been administered, if a decrease in oxygen saturation cannot be attributed to cardiac or pulmonary problems—as determined by physical examination—arterial blood gases should be checked, including the methemoglobin level. A blood sample taken from a patient with methemoglobinemia has a distinct chocolate color (Figure 3).
Other signs and symptoms associated with methemoglobinemia are described in Table. Even in severe cases of methemoglobinemia, the directly measured PO2 level is usually normal, because it is the arterial PO2 measures that will show dissolved oxygen in the blood. As a result, laboratory studies that calculate oxygen saturation from the dissolved oxygen values have been known to report normal oxygen saturation even in the presence of a markedly impaired oxygen-carrying capacity.7,8 Therefore, co-oximetry is the diagnostic test of choice for methemoglobinemia, because this testing method measures both the concentration of methemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin.
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Treatment
When a patient is diagnosed with methemoglobinemia, initial attention
should be directed to improving oxygen delivery. Treatment for symptomatic
methemoglobinemia (typically with methemoglobin levels of >30%) includes
administration of methylene blue, delivered intravenously, 1 mg to 2 mg per kg
of body weight, over five minutes. This treatment may be repeated if the
methemoglobinemia does not resolve within 30 minutes.
Methylene blue (methylthionine chloride) itself is an oxidant. The metabolic product of methylene blue, called leukomethylene blue, is the reducing agent and provides an artificial electron acceptor via the NADPH-dependent pathway.9,10
Patients with methemoglobinemia who are asymptomatic should be admitted to inpatient care and observed to ensure that levels of methemoglobin have decreased. Most cases of methemoglobinemia resolve within 24 to 72 hours. If levels of methemoglobin persistently increase—as may be the case if continued absorption of the responsible agent occurs—repeated dosing of methylene blue may be necessary. Dosing should not exceed 7 mg per kg, however, because higher doses of methylene blue may result in dyspnea, tremors, or hemolytic anemia.
If patients respond poorly to methylene blue, as seen in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] deficiency, or in severe cases of methemoglobinemia (methemoglobin levels of >70%), exchange transfusions or hemodialysis may be necessary.3 Patients with a G6PD deficiency who show a decreased production of NADPH will not respond to treatment with methylene blue.3,7 In these cases, exchange transfusions or hemodialysis should be begun immediately.
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Comment |
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TopReport of CaseReview of LiteratureCommentReferences |
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The diagnosis is mainly clinical—based the presence of chocolate-colored blood and cyanosis that remains unresponsive to oxygen therapy—with high index of suspicion.
Diagnosis should be confirmed by co-oximetry. The treatment of choice is low-dose, intravenous methylene blue, which should be made readily available at medical and dental facilities where topical anesthetics are frequently used.
From the Mercy Medical Center–North Iowa in Mason City.
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References |
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TopReport of CaseReview of LiteratureCommentReferences |
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2. Ferraro-Borgida MJ, Mulhern SA, DeMeo MO, Bayer MJ. Methemoglobinemia from perineal application of an anesthetic cream. Ann Emerg Med.1996; 27:785 –788.[Medline]
3. Novaro GM, Aronow HD, Militello MA, Garcia MJ, Sabik EM. Benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia: experience from a high-volume transesophageal echocardiography laboratory. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2003;16:170 –175.[Medline]
4. Ellenhorn MJ. Respiratory toxicology. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, Md: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1996:1496 –1499.
5. Bunn HF. Disorders of hemoglobin. In: Wilson JD, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, Petersdorf RG, Martin JB, Fauci AS, et al, eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 12th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Health Profession Division; 1991:1543 –1552.
6. Khan NA, Kruse JA. Methemoglobinemia induced by topical anesthesia: a case report and review. Am J Med Sci.1999; 318:415 –418.[Medline]
7. Rodriguez LF, Smolik LM, Zbehlik AJ. Benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia: report of a severe reaction and review of the literature. Ann Pharmacother.1994; 28:643 –649.[Abstract]
8. Barker SJ, Tremper KK, Hyatt J. Effects of methemoglobinemia on pulse oximetry and mixed venous oximetry. Anesthesiology.1989; 70:112 –117.[Medline]
9. Sass MD, Caruso CJ, Axelrod DR. Mechanism of the TPNH-linked reduction of methemoglobin by methylene blue. Clin Chim Acta. 1969;24:77 –85.[Medline]
10. DiSanto AR, Wagner JG. Pharmacokinetics of highly ionized drugs. II. Methylene blue—absorption, metabolism, and excretion in man and dog after oral administration. J Pharm Sci.1972; 61:1086 –1090.[Medline]
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