PEDIATRICS Vol. 63 No. 3 March 1979, pp. 422-424
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Latrogenic Second-Degree Burn Caused by a Transilluminator

Robert D. Mcartor M.D.1 and Brian S. Saunders M.D.1

1 Newborn Branch, Department of Pediatrics, Naval Regional Medical Center Portsmouth, VA 23708

The use of transillumination in medicine has increased dramatically since it was first recorded in 1831 by Richard Bright.1 Among the suggested uses of this technique have been transillumination of the skull (1960s),2.3 of the abdomen (1968),4 for pulmonary air leaks (1975),5 and for venipuncture6 and arterial puncture7 (1977). Complications with permanent sequelae have not been documented previously.

CASE REPORT

A 900-gm female infant was the product of a twin gestation; delivery was premature at 32 weeks. The infant's left wrist was transilluminated to facilitate puncture of the radial artery. The transilluminator was placed against the dorsum of the left wrist for approximately one minute.