TY - JOUR
T1 - Methemoglobinemia
T2 - Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management
AU - Skold, Anna
AU - Cosco, Dominique L.
AU - Klein, Robin
PY - 2011/11
Y1 - 2011/11
N2 - The diagnosis of methemoglobinemia should be considered in patients presenting with cyanosis and hypoxia. A variety of frequently used medications are capable of inducing methemoglobinemia, with dapsone and benzocaine being common culprits. Unique features, such as a saturation gap and chocolate-brown-colored blood, can raise suspicion for methemoglobinemia. Typically, symptoms correlate with the methemoglobin level, and treatment with methylene blue is reserved for patients with significantly elevated methemoglobin levels. In the presence of comorbid conditions that impair oxygen transport, however, low-grade methemoglobinemia can become symptomatic and may warrant treatment.
AB - The diagnosis of methemoglobinemia should be considered in patients presenting with cyanosis and hypoxia. A variety of frequently used medications are capable of inducing methemoglobinemia, with dapsone and benzocaine being common culprits. Unique features, such as a saturation gap and chocolate-brown-colored blood, can raise suspicion for methemoglobinemia. Typically, symptoms correlate with the methemoglobin level, and treatment with methylene blue is reserved for patients with significantly elevated methemoglobin levels. In the presence of comorbid conditions that impair oxygen transport, however, low-grade methemoglobinemia can become symptomatic and may warrant treatment.
KW - Dapsone
KW - Methemoglobin
KW - Methemoglobinemia
KW - Methylene blue
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80155165199&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e318232139f
DO - 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e318232139f
M3 - Review article
C2 - 22024786
AN - SCOPUS:80155165199
VL - 104
SP - 757
EP - 761
JO - Southern Medical Journal
JF - Southern Medical Journal
SN - 0038-4348
IS - 11
ER -