Citation

Lu HC, Shih RD, Marcus S, Ruck B, Jennis T. Arch. Pediatr. Adolesc. Med. 1998; 152(8): 803-805.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, American Medical Association)

DOI

10.1001/archpedi.152.8.803

PMID

9701142

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To see if methemoglobin could potentially be misdiagnosed and the limitation of present cooximeters.
PATIENT: A 17-year-old girl who overingested a combination of cimetidine, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen in a suicide attempt.
METHOD: Use of pulse co-oximeters to aid in the diagnosis of suspected sulfhemoglobinemia.
RESULTS: Diagnosis of sulfhemoglobinemia achieved with final confirmation made with gas chromatography. Patient steadily improved with supportive care.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a potential for the diagnosis of methemoglobin with some of the limitations of present co-oximeters. The laboratory diagnosis of sulfhemoglobinemia can be difficult to make.

Language: en

Keywords

Acetaminophen; Adolescent; Cimetidine; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Ibuprofen; Methemoglobinemia; Naproxen; Oximetry; Suicide, Attempted; Sulfhemoglobinemia