Endoscopy 1999; 31(9): 831-833
DOI: 10.1055/s-1999-76
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Pulse Oximeter as a Cause of Skin Burn During Photodynamic Therapy

A. Radu 1 , M. Zellweger 2 , P. Grosjean 1 , P. Monnier 1
  • 1 Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, CHUV Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • 2 Institute of Environmental Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)

Photodynamic therapy is increasingly being used for the treatment of various cancers. However, this technique has a major adverse effect, namely skin photosensitization. An unusual case of skin burn associated with pulse oximetry during photodynamic therapy in a patient treated for an early esophageal tumor is described. The patient, who was treated with mTHPC, suffered a second-degree burn on the index finger with subsequent loss of the nail. The only previously reported case of such a complication occurred with Photofrin, whereby no tissue other than skin was damaged.

References

  • 1 Monnier Ph, Savary M, Fontolliet Ch, et al. Photodetection and photodynamic therapy of early squamous cell carcinomas of the pharynx, esophagus and tracheo-bronchial tree.  Lasers Med Sci. 1990;  5 149-169
  • 2 Sibille A, Lambert R, Souquet J C, et al. Long-term survival after photodynamic therapy for esophageal cancer.  Gastroenterology. 1995;  108 337-344
  • 3 Fisher A MR, Murphree A L, Gomer C J. Clinical and preclinical photodynamic therapy.  Lasers Surg Med. 1995;  17 2-31
  • 4 Dougherty T J, Gomer C J, Henderson B W, et al. Photodynamic therapy.  J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998;  90 889-905
  • 5 Dougherty T J, Cooper M T, Mang T S. Cutaneous phototoxic occurrences in patients receiving Photofrin.  Lasers Surg Med. 1990;  10 485-488
  • 6 Grosjean P, Savary J F, Wagnieres G, et al. Tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl) chlorin clinical photodynamic therapy of early bronchial and oesophageal cancers.  Lasers Med Sci. 1996;  11 227-235
  • 7 Dilkes M G, De Jode M L, Rowntree-Taylor A, et al. mTHPC photodynamic therapy for head and neck cancer.  Lasers Med Sci. 1996;  11 23-29
  • 8 Edell E S, Cortese D A. Photodynamic therapy in the management of early superficial squamous cell carcinoma as an alternative to surgical resection.  Chest. 1992;  102 1319-1322
  • 9 Wagnieres G, Hadjur C, Grosjean P, et al. Clinical evaluation of the cutaneous phototoxicity of 5,10,15,20-tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin.  Photochem Photobiol. 1998;  68 382-387
  • 10 Sloan T B. Finger injury by an oxygen saturation monitor probe.  Anesthesiology. 1988;  68 936-938
  • 11 Murphy K G, Secunda J A, Rockoff M A. Severe burns from a pulse oximeter.  Anesthesiology. 1990;  73 350-352
  • 12 Farber N E, McNeely J, Rosner D. Skin burn associated with pulse oximetry during perioperative photodynamic therapy.  Anesthesiology. 1996;  84 983-985

A. RaduM.D. 

Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

CHUV Hospital

1011 Lausanne

Switzerland

Phone: + 41-21-314 27 06

Email: Alexandre.Radu@chuv.hospvd.ch