ABSTRACT
Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in many clinical situations and is relatively simple to perform with proper technique. Local anesthetic technique is often preferable to general anesthesia for bronchoscopies since these examinations are mostly undertaken as outpatient procedures. Inhaled topical lidocaine, used to produce anesthesia of the repiratory tract prior to bronchoscopy, may cause anaphylactoid reaction in patients. However lidocaine hypersensitivity reaction is uncommon. We report the case of death due to hypersensitivity to topical lidocaine spray given during routine premedication for this procedure. The possibility of bronchospasm secondary to an adverse reaction to premedication or anesthesia must also be considered.