Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-1999-76
Pulse Oximeter as a Cause of Skin Burn During Photodynamic Therapy
Publication History
Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/endoscopy/199909/lookinside/thumbnails/10.1055-s-1999-76-1.jpg)
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