Rapid mucosal absorption of topical lidocaine during bronchoscopy in the presence of oral candidiasis.

Local anesthetic agents are topically applied during diagnostic procedures such as bronchoscopy. These routine procedures are associated with only rare reports of drug toxicity or extensive systemic drug absorption. We report a case of rapid systemic absorption and elevated plasma lidocaine concentrations following a fiberoptic bronchoscopy procedure in a man with oral candidiasis and lung cancer.