The authors describe the case of a pacient who was parenterally administered eugenol (clove oil). The clinical picture was dominated by methemoglobinemia, cyanosis and low hemoglobin saturation by oxygen (66-76%). In view of a severe tissue hypoxia, which was refractory to oxygenotherapy, erythrocytapheresis was performed. The substitution included 12 transfusion units of deleukocyted erythrocyte concentrates with the mean hematocrite 0.60 (3,400 ml), irradiated by ionising radiation at the dose of 32 Gy, administered via a transfusion set. The remaining fraction of erythrocytes with pathological hemoglobin was 20%. In the course of the intervention, a substantial increase of hemoglobin saturation by oxygen developed (90%) and no untoward reaction was noticed.

        Key words: exchange erythrocytapheresis, methemoglobinemia, eugenol