A Curious Case of Methaemoglobinemia

Abstract

The most frequent cause of raised methaemoglobin is from recreational drug use, with oxidation of the haem molecule leading to methaemoglobinaemia. Our case describes that of a man in his early thirties who presented with shortness of breath, hypoxia and methaemoglobinemia due to ingestion of impure cocaine mixed with local anaesthetic agents, a common cause of acquired methaemoglobinemia. This case report demonstrates the need for clinicians to consider methaemoglobinaemia as a differential diagnosis for patients presenting with hypoxia.