Delay in Spinal Cord Injury Diagnosis Due to Sedation: A Case Report

Background

In the United States, the incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury is estimated to be approximately 40 per one million persons per year. The most common causes of traumatic spinal cord injury are motor vehicle collisions, falls, gunshot wounds, and sports accidents.

Objective

To report signs, symptoms, clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, acute management, and treatment of an acute spinal cord injury.

Case Report

A case of traumatic cervical spine injury that was not immediately apparent upon presentation is reported. Diagnostic confirmation was possible after obtaining magnetic resonance imaging and after the sedative effects of medications resolved, allowing for a better physical examination.

Conclusion

Neurogenic shock should be considered in patients with hypotension of unknown or unclear etiology. A ground-level fall is sufficient to cause traumatic spinal cord injury in elderly patients, and a cervical spine computed tomography scan without clear fracture does not exclude this pathology.     

ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction With No Structural Lesions After a Wasp Sting

Background: Acute coronary syndromes after hymenoptera stings and other environmental exposures are referred to as the Kounis syndrome or allergic myocardial ischemia and infarction. Case Report: We report the case of a 58-year-old man with transient inferior ST-segment elevation consistent with myocardial ischemia after a single wasp sting. Urgent cardiac catheterization revealed normal coronary arteries with a normal left ventriculogram. The evaluation and treatment of cardiac ischemia associated with an allergic reaction is discussed. Conclusion: ST elevation myocardial infarction after wasp envenomation is an exceptional and interesting pathology with a partially elucidated pathogenesis. The management of cardiac ischemia in this setting is uncertain.     

Cold Anaphylaxis: A Case Report

BackgroundCold anaphylaxis is a severe form of hypersensitivity reaction to cold temperatures. Such reactions include a spectrum of presentations that range from localized symptoms to systemic involvement. The condition can be acquired or heritable, although it may also be idiopathic. Treatment consists of second-generation H₁ antihistamines, epinephrine, and supportive care. Prevention involves avoidance of known triggers, most commonly cold immersion due to environment or water exposure.Case ReportWe report the case of a 34-year-old man with cold-induced urticaria/anaphylaxis who presented to our emergency department with hypotension and shortness of breath after exposure to cold air after getting out of a shower. He required two doses of intramuscular epinephrine and was ultimately started on an epinephrine infusion. He was admitted to the intensive care unit for anaphylaxis monitoring and was found to have a positive ice cube test, reinforcing the suspected diagnosis.Why Should An Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Cold anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening phenomenon with specific testing. It is occasionally described in the emergency medicine literature. Providers should be aware of the potential for cold anaphylaxis as it can change patient guidance and alter management. This condition can also contribute to otherwise unclear and sudden decompensation in critically ill patients, as has been reported in cases of cold anaphylaxis induced by cold IV infusions.     

Immunotherapy of hypersensitivity to hymenoptera venom

Insect sting allergy is a common condition with a risk of life-threatening anaphylaxis. After a severe reaction, the fear of being restung can significantly reduce quality of life. Venom immunotherapy (VIT) is a highly effective treatment of the underlying type I-sensitisation. This review addresses the mechanisms of immune modulation by VIT and outlines current clinical application. Although highly effective in the majority of patients, VIT fails in a few individuals. It can also cause systemic allergic side effects, restricting its application to physicians trained in the treatment of anaphylaxis. This review discusses several new strategies to overcome these problems, which are presently a promising focus of research. These include the use of new adjuvants, of recombinant and genetically engineered venom allergens, as well as vaccination with peptides.     

反复发作的抗凝血类灭鼠药致获得性凝血功能障碍三例

目的分析反复发作的抗凝血类灭鼠药所致获得性凝血功能障碍的临床特点,探讨其诊治方案。方法对2009年3月-2010年12月收治的3例抗凝血类灭鼠药所致获得性凝血功能障碍患者的临床表现、实验室检查和治疗转归进行分析,并复习相关文献。结果 3例患者均以同时出现多部位出血为首发表现,经应用维生素K1、凝血酶原复合物、新鲜冰冻血浆、冷沉淀等治疗,患者病情好转,实验室指标恢复正常。停药(2、5周,3个月)后再次出现多部位出血,再给予维生素K1等治疗,病情可缓解。结论维生素K1可作为首选的治疗药物,且对反复发作的患者同样有效。为避免再发性出血,应维持治疗至少3个月。     

复方丹参液对大鼠失血性休克合并凝血功能紊乱的治疗作用

为了观察大鼠失血性休克过程中凝血因子的变化及肝素、复方丹参注射液对凝血因子变化的影响,探讨复方丹参注射液对凝血功能紊乱的治疗作用,制作了失血性休克大鼠模型。将40只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、休克组、复方丹参液组及肝素组,每组10只。检测各组休克后2、4、6小时血浆可溶性纤维蛋白单体复合物(SFMC)、血栓调节蛋白(TM)、抗凝血酶Ⅲ(ATⅢ)、D二聚体(DD)、组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(tPA)、纤溶酶原激活物抑制剂(PAI)变化及活化部分凝血活酶时间(APTT);比较肝素组与复方丹参液组出血并发症的发生率。研究结果表明:大鼠休克组血浆SFMC、DD水平明显高,于而ATⅢ明显低于其他3组(P<0.001),其他3组间比较,无显著性差异(P>0.05)。休克组、肝素组血浆TM水平明显增加(P<0.001),复方丹参组与假手术组间相比无显著性差异。休克组大鼠于休克2小时血浆tPA、DD水平明显升高,于休克4小时PAI达到高峰(P<0.001),而tPA水平有所下降。于休克6小时,血浆PAI水平下降,tPA继续降低,但PAI、DD尚维持于较高水平。肝素组血浆DD水平降低、tPA高于休克组、PAI无显著性不同。丹参组大鼠血浆tPA、PAI、DD均低于休克组,但均在正常范围内。休克组大鼠APTT进行性延长,至休克6小时达到高峰,平均59.7±11.86秒。肝素组APTT平均61.5±5.79秒     

Hypnic Headache Due to Hypoglycemia: A Case Report

Hypnic headache (HH) is a rare primary headache disorder and pathophysiology is still poorly understood. It is considered a chronobiological disorder in almost all published cases. Few secondary cases have been described so far. We report a case of a 64-year-old woman presenting headaches exclusively during sleep and fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for HH, but a 72-hour glucose monitoring showed hypoglycemia episodes related to the onset of headaches. To our knowledge, this is the first report of symptomatic HHs associated with hypoglycemia and it suggests direct evidence of HH due to a metabolic disorder.     

Pseudo-fracture of Pacemaker Lead Due to Securing Suture: A Case Report

With improved pacemaker lead design and materials, complications caused by lead problems have decreased.^4,5 There have been isolated reports of leads severed by suture material but they have been rare. Presented is a case of suture-induced "pseudo-fracture" in a urethane-insulated ventricular lined endocardial lead (Medtronic Model #6971-58). No loss of capture or sensing function has been encountered eight months following initial implantation. It is felt that the softer, stronger urethane permitted compression and resulted in a radiographic suggestion of a fractured lead, but lead integrity does not seem to have compromised. Although (his may be an inconsequential radiographic finding, it could lead to an inappropriate lead removal unless it is properly interpreted. (PACE, Vol. 4, November-December, 1981)     

Cerebral Embolism Due to a Retained Pacemaker Lead: A Case Report

There are only a few reported cases of a pacemaker lead migrating inadvertently into the left atrium or ventricle. An unusual complication of unremoved, unwanted pacemaker lead is presented. The free tip of the lead caused cerebral embolism after perforating the interatrial septum.     

Neurogenic Shock: A Case Report

BackgroundNeurogenic shock is a life-threatening emergency associated with spinal cord injuries. Early cervical spine immobilization to reduce the risk of neurogenic shock is imperative. In addition, early recognition and treatment of neurogenic shock are essential to prevent hypoperfusion-related injuries and death.Case PresentationThis case outlines a 65-year-old male who experienced a cervical spine fracture after a motorcycle crash. The patient received stabilizing treatment by a flight crew consisting of both a registered nurse and paramedic. After assessment and stabilization, he was diagnosed as having neurogenic shock. Despite invasive treatment and resuscitation efforts, the patient succumbed to his injuries.ConclusionIt is important for emergency nurses to quickly identify the risk factors for cervical spine injuries and maintain cervical spine immobilization to minimize the risk of neurogenic shock.     

BRASH Syndrome: A Case Report

BackgroundBRASH syndrome, a relatively new entity, has been described in the recent literature. It is defined as a combination of bradycardia, renal failure, atrioventricular nodal blockade, shock, and hyperkalemia. Although it is apparent that clinical symptomatology includes shock, it is still unclear whether all patients will initially present with all five components mentioned in the BRASH acronym.Case ReportAn elderly woman presented to our Emergency Department (ED) with hyperkalemia, acute renal failure, and metabolic acidosis with bradycardia, which was refractory to antikalemic measures and atropine. The montage of clinical features put together showed a clear picture of BRASH syndrome, which helped us to streamline the management and achieve a better patient outcome.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Renal failure with various metabolic derangements is commonly seen in the ED. We should be aware of this new clinical entity, as its incidence will certainly increase, and the management is a bit different. Prognosis is excellent with timely recognition and management of this rare clinical entity.     

Ultrasound Findings in Tension Pneumothorax: A Case Report

Background

Delayed recognition of tension pneumothorax can lead to a mortality of 31% to 91%. However, the classic physical examination findings of tracheal deviation and distended neck veins are poorly sensitive in the diagnosis of tension pneumothorax. Point-of-care ultrasound is accurate in identifying the presence of pneumothorax, but sonographic findings of tension pneumothorax are less well described.

短暂性全面遗忘综合征2例报道

短暂性全面遗忘(transient global amnesia,TGA)是易发生于中老年人的一种急性遗忘综合征,表现为患者短期内突然不能接受新的信息而保留远期记忆,症状常在24 h内缓解.1956年Bender首次报道,称为伴有遗忘的精神错乱;1958年由Fisher和Adam正式命名为TGA.其后国外有很多这样的病例报道[1-2].据报道,美国的发病率为5.2/105,50岁以上人群发病率为23.5/105.现将我科2007年收治的2例病例报道如下.     

电击伤合并脑外伤引起失语症1例报道

目的报道1例电击伤合并脑外伤引起的失语症。方法对1例电击伤合并脑外伤引起失语症进行个案分析。结果和结论经过3个月针对性的语言训练,患者的语言功能及实用性社交能力较前明显改善。     

Cluster Headache Due to an Impacted Superior Wisdom Tooth: Case Report

SYNOPSIS
A case of cluster headache due to an impacted superior wisdom tooth is reported. After extraction (time of observation 4 years), the patient had no more pain attacks. This case may support the role of the nervus intermedius in cluster headache.     

Recurrent Prolonged Coma Due to Basilar Artery Migraine. A Case Report.

A 25 year old patient presented with recurrent prolonged episodes of life-threatening coma varying from 3 to 10 days. The clinical recovery was slow. The history and technical examinations led to the diagnosis of basilar artery migraine (BAM). The etiology of the coma episodes is thought to be related to ischemic dysfunction of the rostral part of the brainstem due to severe spasm of the basilar artery demonstrated by arteriography. Exceptional are the recurrent prolonged coma episodes of sudden onset, the severe spasm of the basilar artery, and the suppression-burst and FIRDA pattern on the EEG examinations during the coma episodes.