METHEMOGLOBINEMIC CYANOSIS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Sudden onset of cyanosis is an alarming event that usually suggests a cardiovascular or pulmonary catastrophe. A rarer cause is acute toxic methemoglobinemia. We recently had an opportunity to study an "epidemic" of the latter condition involving at least seven patients. All had eaten wheatcakes and "maple syrup" at a diner. This report briefly summarizes the case histories and describes the series of events leading to discovery of the offending agent. A similar epidemic of methemoglobinemia due to accidental nitrite ingestion was reported by Greenberg, Birnkrant and Schiftner,1who reviewed the literature up to 1945. At that time, they called attention to the serious nature of the poisoning and mentioned the high fatality rate. At least 19 deaths due to sodium nitrite have been reported. Since Greenberg's article appeared, the therapeutic use of methylene blue for cyanosis has been established beyond doubt. Although five of our seven patients in the

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: