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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
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Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)

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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.

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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