Acute Acquired Methemoglobinemia Following Nitrobenzene Poisoning

  • Samriddh Dhungel Star Hospital, Sanepa Height, Lalitpur, Nepal
  • Prabina Ghimire Star Hospital, Sanepa Height, Lalitpur, Nepal
  • Swarup Shrestha Star Hospital, Sanepa Height, Lalitpur, Nepal
  • Tulsi Bhattarai Star Hospital, Sanepa Height, Lalitpur, Nepal
  • Anil Pokhrel Star Hospital, Sanepa Height, Lalitpur, Nepal
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v18i4.2582

Abstract

Nitrobenzene is an aromatic compound commonly used in agricultural fertilizers. It is capable of inducing methemoglobinemia when ingested in sufficient quantities. Methemoglobinemia impairs oxygen transport by dual mechanism of impaired oxygen binding and diminished oxygen unloading. We report a case of nitrobenzene poisoning accompanied by methemoglobinemia and later complicated by unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia secondary to hemolysis. Prompt treatment with intravenous methylene blue based on a clinical diagnosis in view of dropping SpO2 unresponsive to oxygen with chocolate cyanosis and paradoxically elevated PaO2 enabled favorable patient outcome. Other recommended modalities of treatment in acquired acute methemoglobinemia include vitamin C, hyperbaric oxygen and exchange transfusions.
Keywords: Methemoglobinemia; methylene blue; nitrobenzene; nitroboom

Published
2021-01-22
How to Cite
DhungelS., GhimireP., ShresthaS., BhattaraiT., & PokhrelA. (2021). Acute Acquired Methemoglobinemia Following Nitrobenzene Poisoning. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 18(4), 798-800. https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v18i4.2582
Issue
Vol. 18 No. 4 (2020): Vol. 18 No. 4 Issue 49 Oct-Dec 2020
Section
Case Report

Copyright (c) 2021 Samriddh Dhungel, Prabina Ghimire, Swarup Shrestha, Tulsi Bhattarai, Anil Pokhrel

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