What Researchers Did
Clinicians reported a case of doxorubicin (chemotherapy drug) extravasation causing severe forearm tissue injury in a 17-month-old infant being treated for rhabdomyosarcoma, managed with fasciotomy followed by HBOT.
What They Found
Following initial surgical decompression, HBOT was used to manage the ongoing tissue injury from doxorubicin toxicity, with the case resolving successfully. The authors note that limited access to the standard antidote (dexrazoxane) makes HBOT a valuable alternative treatment option.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Chemotherapy drug leakage from IV lines (extravasation) can cause permanent tissue destruction in children and adults. For Canadian patients where the standard antidote is unavailable or delayed, HBOT may help limit tissue damage. Oncology nurses and pharmacists should be aware of HBOT as a backup option for doxorubicin extravasation.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified. Access to dexrazoxane in Canada may be limited, making knowledge of alternative treatments like HBOT clinically relevant.
Study Limitations
Single case report in an infant; outcomes cannot be generalized given the highly specific combination of patient age, drug, injury location, and treatment sequence.