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Methemoglobinemia: Living with Dormant Devil

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Abstract

Methemoglobin is an oxidized form of hemoglobin. NADH methemoglobin reductase deficiency or inactivity is the cause of methemoglobin. Excessive production, resulting in accumulation, causes methemoglobinemia. It can be congenital or acquired. We present a case of dormant congenital methemoglobinemia detected accidentally on preoperative assessment, due to low oxygen saturation even at F1O2-1.0 associated with central cyanosis. The patient had 27.7 % methemoglobin, living his life without any complications. The patient was operated upon successfully for tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy under local anesthesia by taking proper precautions.

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Acknowledgments

We owe thanks and due acknowledgments to Dr. Pryanka for her help in collection of sample and photographs and Mr. Guruswami P, for his technical help in Biochemistry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka, India

    Dhiraj J. Trivedi

  2. Department of Anesthesia, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka, India

    Bandi Joshiraj & Raghavendra Rao

  3. Department of ENT, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka, India

    Vijay Bidkar

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  1. Dhiraj J. Trivedi
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  2. Bandi Joshiraj
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  3. Vijay Bidkar
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  4. Raghavendra Rao
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dhiraj J. Trivedi.

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The authors of this case report have declared that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical committee

This study is purely a self funded study, approved by the institutional ethical committee.

Informed Consent

The sample used for the study was blood, which was collected from patient after explaining and taking consent.

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Trivedi, D.J., Joshiraj, B., Bidkar, V. et al. Methemoglobinemia: Living with Dormant Devil. Ind J Clin Biochem 32, 248–250 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-016-0586-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-016-0586-5

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