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Article Details

Short Report

Volume 6, Issue 5 (May Issue)

Acute Methemoglobinemia Following Ingestion of the Common Street Drug-Poppers

O’Gorman L*, McGurk C and JR Sheehan

Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland

*Corresponding author: O’Gorman L, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. E-mail: lucyogorman88@gmail.com

Received: April 07, 2024; Accepted: April 21, 2024; Published: May 15, 2024

Citation: O’Gorman L, McGurk C, JR Sheehan. Acute Methemoglobinemia Following Ingestion of the Common Street Drug-Poppers. Clin Image Case Rep J. 2024; 6(5): 397.

Acute Methemoglobinemia Following Ingestion of the Common Street Drug-Poppers
Abstract

Methemoglobinaemia is a rare blood disorder that affects the ability of haemoglobin to transport oxygen around the body due to the presence of Methemoglobin. Patients may be asymptomatic, but in some cases, it may be life threatening [1]. Methemoglobinaemia can be congenital or acquired [1]. This is a case report of a 39-year-old man who developed acute methemoglobinemia postoperative day 1 for a tibial fracture. The patient presented with an acute severe desaturation to 74% on room air. He remained markedly cyanosed and tachycardic despite receiving 15L high-flow oxygen therapy. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed elevated methaemoglobin levels and a characteristic dark brown coloration of the blood (Figure 1). Prompt recognition of methemoglobinaemia led to rapid improvement in the patient's condition. This case highlights the importance of considering methemoglobinaemia in the differential diagnosis of hypoxemia and emphasises the need for timely intervention to prevent adverse outcomes.