Minerva
BMJ 2010; 340 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c3102 (Published 15 June 2010) Cite this as: BMJ 2010;340:c3102
- Sheila Luk, FY1,
- Catherine Hockings, ST1,
- Colin Hopper, consultant, head and neck surgery,
- Helen Booth, consultant thoracic physician
- Correspondence to: Sheila Luk shielaluk@doctors.net.uk
A 58 year old woman sustained gangrene of the right index and middle fingers from non-thermal injury resulting from the use of pulse oximetry. She had received a Foscan injection, a photosensitising agent, before elective photodynamic treatment for local control of a left axillary metastasis from breast carcinoma. The wavelength of light produced by a standard oximeter is in close proximity for the activation of Foscan. This causes photo-activation and hence excessive tissue destruction. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the risks and apply pulse oximetry for the minimum amount of time and, if needed, reposition on different digits.
Notes
Cite this as: BMJ 2010;340:c3102
Footnotes
Patient consent obtained.
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