Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Sudden sniffing death, Inhalants, Fluoridated Hydrocarbons (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/27/2019 by Kathy Prybys, MD
(Updated: 7/5/2019)
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Volatile inhalants such as glue, lighter fluid, spray paint are abused by "sniffing" (from container), "huffing" (poured into rag), or "bagging" (poured into bag). "Dusting" is the abuse of canned air dust removal products. These inexpensive easliy accessible products are so dangerous that manufacturers include product warnings regarding lethal consequences from misuse and even may indicate that a bitterant is added to discourage use. Common duster gases include the halogenated hydrocarbons, 1,1-difluoroethane or 1,1,1-trifluroethane which are highly lipid soluble and rapidly absorbed by alveolar membranes and distributed to CNS. Desired effect of euphoria and disinhibition rapidly occur but unwanted side effects include confusion, tremors, ataxia, pulmonary irritation, asphyxia and, rarely, coma.
"Sudden sniffing death" is seen within minutes to hours of use and is due to ventricular arrhythmias and cardiovascular collapse. Available experimental evidence postulates the following mechanisms: Inhibition of cardiac sodium, calcium, and repolarizing potassium channels hERG and I(Ks) causing reduced conduction velocity and altered refractory period leading to reentry arrythmias or myocardial "sensitiization" to catecholamines resulting in after depolarizations and enhanced automaticity. Treatment should include standard resuscitation measures but refractory arrythmias to defibrillation have been reported and use of amiodarone and beta blockers should be considered.
Bottom Line:
Sudden death involving inhalation of 1, 1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) with spray cleaner: three case reports. K Sakai, K Maruyama-Maebashi, et.al. Forensic science Int. Volume 206, Issues 1–3, 20 March 2011.
Esmolol in treatment of severe arrhythmia after tricholoroethylene poisoning. Mortiz F. de La Chapelle, et al. Intensive Care Med. 2000 Feb;26(2):256.
Deaths Involving 1,1-Difluoroethane at the San Diego County Medical Examiner's OfficeVance C., Swalwell C., et al. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Volume 36, Issue 9, November/December 2012.
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: IVDA, AMS, botulism, Tox, ID (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/2/2019 by Robert Brown, MD
(Updated: 11/25/2024)
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Wound botulism presents as descending paralysis when Clostridium botulinum spores germinate in anaerobic necrotic tissue. There have been hundreds of cases in the last decade, but it is poorly reported outside of California.
Black tar heroin and subcutaneous injection (“skin popping”) carry the highest risk, but other injected drugs and other types of drug use suffice. C botulinum spores are viable unless cooked at or above 85°C for 5 minutes or longer and this is not achieved when cooking drugs.
Early administration of botulism anti-toxin (BAT) not only saves lives but can prevent paralysis and mechanical ventilation. An outbreak of 9 cases between September 2017 and April 2018 cost roughly $2.3 million, in part because patients didn’t present on average until 48 hours after symptom onset and it took an additional 2-4 days before the true cause of their respiratory depression and lethargy were understood. One patient died.
PEARL: talk to your injecting drug users about the symptoms of botulism: muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, loss of facial expression, descending paralysis, and difficulty breathing. Consider botulism early in your patients who inject drugs but who do not respond to naloxone or who exhibit prolonged symptoms. Testing at the health department is performed with mouse antibodies to Botulism Neurotoxin (BoNT) combined with the patient’s serum.
Peak CM, Rosen H, Kamali A, et al. Wound Botulism Outbreak Among Persons Who Use Black Tar Heroin – San Diego County, California. MMWR. January 4, 2019; 67(5152):1415-1418.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: cyanide toxicity, sodium tetrathionate, (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/27/2019 by Hong Kim, MD
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Cyanide poisoning, while uncommon, is frequently fatal. Current antidotes include methemoglobinemia inducers (nitrites), sulfur donators (thiosulfate), and hydroxocobalamin. Each has risks and benefits that must be considered. Three new potential antidotes, including sodium tetrathionate, have recently been evaluated in swine models.
Intramuscular sodium tetrathionate1
Advantages:
Bottom line:
Hendry-Hofer TB, Witeof AE, Ng PC, et al. Intramuscular sodium tetrathionate as an antidote in a clinically relevant swine model of acute cyanide toxicity. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2019;105:1-7. doi:10.1080/15563650.2019.1602272.
Category: Neurology
Keywords: analgesia, headache, opioids (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/26/2019 by Danya Khoujah, MBBS
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Primary headaches (not secondary to a life-threatening disease) can be challenging to manage. Remember the following pearls:
Things that DO NOT work: IV fluids, 5-HT3 Antagonists (aka Zofran), diphenhydramine (aka Benadryl), opioids
Things that KINDA work: oxygen for all headaches, sphenopalatine ganglion block (4% lido spray)
Things that PREVENT recurrence: dexamethasone for migraine headaches
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Disc, infection, back pain (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/22/2019 by Brian Corwell, MD
(Updated: 11/25/2024)
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Children are prone to inflammation and infection of the intervertebral discs
-Mean age 3-5years at presentation.
Lumbar region frequently involved
Although disc biopsy is not necessary for diagnosis, as many as 60% of biopsied discs grow bacteria
-Usually Staphylococcus aureus.
Untreated - may spontaneously resolve or progress to vertebral osteomyelitis or abscess
Chief complaint: Back pain and irritability, often associated with a limp or refusal to crawl or walk.
Fever is absent or low grade.
Physical examination findings are nonspecific and may include a tendency to lie still and percussion tenderness over the involved spine.
Blood culture is generally sterile,
WBC count can be normal early in the disease course
However, the ESR is elevated in >90% of patients.
Plain radiographs are normal at the start of the illness, and generally take 2-3 weeks to demonstrate narrowing of the intervertebral space.
Therefore imaging study of choice is MRI.
Fernandez M, et al. Discitis and vertebral osteomyelitis in children: an 18-year review. Pediatrics 2000.
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: appendicitis, hospitalization, operative management (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/21/2019 by Jenny Guyther, MD
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Fugazzola et al. Early appendectomy versus conservative management and complicated acute appendicitis in children: a meta-analysis. J Pediatr Surg. 2019 Feb 25 S0002-3468 (19)30125-3.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: intranasal naloxone, opioid overdose, reversal (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/19/2019 by Hong Kim, MD
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Naloxone distribution programs have been expanding to promote the naloxone adminstration by laypersons, usually intranasal (IN) device, to victims of opioid overdose. A recent study analyzed the reports of prehospital naloxone administration reported to a regional poison center.
Opioid toxicity revesal:
However, between 2015 and 2017, the reversal rate decreased (82.1% to 76.4%) while mean administered naloxone dose increased (2.12 mg to 3.63 mg). The cause of this trend is unknown but the dose of commercially available IN naloxone kit increased from 2 mg to 4 mg in 2016.
Bottom line:
Mahonski SG et al. Prepacked naloxone administration for suspected opioid overdose in the era of illicitly manufactured fentanyl: a retrospective study of regional poison center data. Clin Toxicol 2019.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2019.1615622
Category: Critical Care
Posted: 6/18/2019 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
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Post-Arrest Prophylactic Antibiotics?
Couper K, et al. Prophylactic antibiotic use following cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Resuscitation. 2019; epub ahead of print.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: opioid use disorder, fentanyl exposure, baltimore, (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/13/2019 by Hong Kim, MD
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Since 2013, the availability of fentanyl has been increasing in the illicit drug supply, especially in heroin supply. Fentanyl and its analogs have been responsible for the dramatic increase in opioid overdose death over the past 5 years.
Two recent cross-sectional studies screened ED patients with opioid use disorder for fentanyl exposure.
Study 1:
Study 2:
Bottom line:
Bach H et al. Prevalence of fentanly exposure among emergency department patients with history of opioid abuse. Clin Toxicol 2019 May https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2019.1598646 (Abstract presented at the EAPCCT 2019, Naples, Italy)
Dezman ZDW et al. Evidence of fentanyl use is common and frequently missed in a cross-sectional study of emergency deparmtne patients in Baltimore, Maryland. Clin Toxicol 2019 April 17. https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2019.1605078
Category: Neurology
Keywords: seizure, status epilepticus, benzodiazepine, antiepileptic, failure (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/12/2019 by WanTsu Wendy Chang, MD
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Bottom Line: Underdosing of benzodiazepines in status epilepticus may contribute to treatment failure.
Follow me on Twitter @EM_NCC
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: Achondroplasia, vertebral arteries, mechanical ventilation (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/11/2019 by Robert Brown, MD
(Updated: 11/25/2024)
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Little people (patients with achondroplasia or "dwarfism") have little lungs. Even though the trunk may appear to be a normal size with small limbs, the vital capacity is actually about 75% the predicted value based on the patient's sitting height. Macrocephaly and a decreased anterior-posterior depth are the cause for this. When you want to mechanically ventilate a little person, you can estimate their height based on a typical person with the same sitting height, but their actual volume will be about 3/4 the tidal volume predicted.
When intubating, remember these patients also have a high risk of basicranial hypoplasia (the foramen magnum may be small and key-hole shaped). These patients will be predisposed to compress the vertebral arteries when you tilt the head back and this itself can cause ischemia of the medulla and pons leading to central apnea.
Stokes DC, Wohl ME, Wise RA, et al. The lungs and airways in Achondroplasia. Do little people have little lungs? CHEST. 1990; 98(1):145-52
Pauli RM. Achondroplasia: A comprehensive review. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2019; 14(1):
Stokes DC, Wohl ME, Wise RA, et al. The lungs and airways in Achondroplasia. Do little people have little lungs? CHEST. 1990; 98(1):145-52
Pauli RM. Achondroplasia: A comprehensive review. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2019; 14(1):
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Spine, Autonomic Dysfunction (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/8/2019 by Brian Corwell, MD
(Updated: 11/25/2024)
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Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) refers to inflammation of gray and white matter in one or more adjacent spinal cord segments leading to acute/subacute dysfunction of all cord functions (i.e., motor, sensory, and autonomic).
There is a bimodal peak between ages 10-19 years and ages 30-39 years.
Most cases are idiopathic
Some patients may have had a preceding viral infection or autoimmune disorder.
The thoracic cord is most commonly involved.
Onset is characterized by acute/subacute development of neurologic signs and symptoms consistent with motor weakness, sensory changes or autonomic dysfunction.
Pain in the head, neck, and/or back may occur.
Motor and sensory changes occur below the level of the lesion and are more likely to be bilateral.
Motor symptoms include a rapidly progressing paraparesis.
Autonomic dysfunction may include urinary urgency or difficulty voiding, bowel or bladder incontinence, tenesmus, constipation, and sexual dysfunction.
Despite its low incidence, consider in a patient presents with a classic constellation of symptoms,
Rapid identification, and early initiation of treatment predicts the best outcomes
Diagnosis: whole spine MRI with and without gadolinium
Management: goals include reducing cord inflammation (IV glucocorticoids), alleviating symptoms (pain management, bladder decompression), and treating underlying causes (e.g., infections, autoimmune) as appropriate.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: toxic substance, online retailers, amazon.com, (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/6/2019 by Hong Kim, MD
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Many chemicals and substances - both legal and illegal - can be purchased from an online retailer. A recent study searched Amazon.com to see if any of the "extremely hazardaous substances" identified by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were available for purchase.
Amazon.com was searched over 10-month period.
Result:
Bottom line:
Toxic substances are readily available from many online retailers that can potentially cause serious toxicity. Online retailers should consult with experts and governmental agencies to limit the availability of such products.
Learnoad JB et al. Prime eligible poisons: identification of extremely hazardous substances available on Amazon.com. 2019 Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2019 Apr 30:1-4. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2019.1594870. [Epub ahead of print]
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: Pulmonary Hypertension, Home Therapies (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/4/2019 by Mark Sutherland, MD
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Some patients with severe pulmonary hypertension receive continuous infusions at home of prostacyclins, such as epoprostanol (flolan). These are generally delivered via a pump that the patient wears, which is attached to an indwelling catheter. As with any indwelling device, they are at risk for infection and other complications, including malfunction.
Interruption of delivery of the medication can result in rapid cardiovascular collapse, sometimes within minutes. In this instance, the medication should be resumed as quickly as possible (by a traditional IV if the catheter is not functional), and the patients should be treated as one would approach a patient with decompensated right heart failure.
I once saw a patient in the ED whose listed chief complaint was "medication refill", but was actually there for dislodgement of her prostacyclin catheter (thankfully she was ok). With more patients receiving devices they are dependent upon (insulin pumps, AICDs, prostacyclin catheters), be wary of chief complaints such as "medication refill" or "device malfunction."
Bottom Line: Interruption of continuous prostacyclin therapy for pulmonary hypertension can be rapidly fatal and should be addressed immediately.
Farber HW, Gin-sing W. Practical considerations for therapies targeting the prostacyclin pathway. Eur Respir Rev. 2016;25(142):418-430.
Maron BA, Zamanian R, Waxman AB, eds. Contemporary pharmacotherapies involving nitric oxide, prostacyclin, and endothelin receptor signaling pathways. In: Maron BA, Zamanian R, Waxman AB, eds. Pulmonary Hypertension: Basic Science to Clinical Medicine. Cham, Springer International Publishing, 2016; pp. 257–270
Category: Airway Management
Keywords: prothrombin complex concentrate, warfarin, bleeding (PubMed Search)
Posted: 5/29/2019 by Ashley Martinelli
(Updated: 6/1/2019)
Click here to contact Ashley Martinelli
For patients with bleeding due to warfarin, prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) is the recommended antidote. Historically, PCC has been dosed on weight and INR:
· INR 2 - 4: 25 units/kg, max 2500 units
· INR 4 - 6: 35 units/kg, max 3500 units
· INR > 6: 50 units/kg, max 5000 units
New data demonstrates that fixed dosing offers several advantages with similar efficacy outcomes:
· Standardized dosing
· Improved time to administration
· Decreased cost
The University of Maryland Health System has adopted a fixed dose strategy for all patients with warfarin-associated critical bleeding:
· Bleeding site other than intracranial hemorrhage AND INR 1.4 - 6 AND weight ≤ 100 kg = 1500 units
· Intracranial hemorrhage OR > 100 kg OR INR >6 = 2000 units
**Note: PCC is also the antidote of choice for reversing critical bleeding due to factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban). All critical bleeds due to these agents should receive 50 units/kg, max 5000 units.
Klein L, Peters J, Miner J, Gorlin J. Evaluation of fixed dose 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for emergent warfarin reversal. Am J Emerg Med. 2015;33: 1213-12128.
Astrup G, Sarangarm P, Burnett A. Fixed dose 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for the emergent reversal of warfarin: a retrospective analysis. J Thrombosis Thrombolysis. 2018;45:300-305.
Scott R, Kersten B, Baisor J, Nadler M. Evaluation of fixed-dose four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for emergent warfarin reversal in patients with intracranial hemorrhage. J Emerg Med. 2018;54(6):861-866.
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: cancer, pediatrics (PubMed Search)
Posted: 5/25/2019 by Brian Corwell, MD
(Updated: 11/25/2024)
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Bone tumors can present as MSK pain!
Pain may be activity related initially (can lead to misdiagnosis)
Over time will progress to rest pain and night pain
1) Primary osteosarcoma - most common primary malignant bone tumor
Adolescents, male > female
70% occur about the knee (also in hip/pelvis and upper arm)
pain, swelling, tenderness to palpation
Consider in the presentation of non traumatic knee pain!
2) Ewing's sarcoma
Peak incidence ages 10-20, male > female
pain, swelling, tendernes to palpation
Elevated temps and ESR
Consider in the differential of osteomyelitis!!
Variable location - lusually the extremities but also pelvis, scapula, ribs
Category: Pediatrics
Posted: 5/24/2019 by Mimi Lu, MD
Click here to contact Mimi Lu, MD
Presentation:
- Prepubertal females are especially susceptible to urethral prolapse
- Can present incidentally is a painless mass found during bathing or on exam
- More commonly presents as urogenital bleeding, dysuria, or (rarely) urinary retention
Evaluation:
- Appears as a partial or circumferential "donut" of bright red, often friable prolapsed mucosa
- Typically occurs in the setting of UTI, cough, or constipation
- Need to rule out complications: UTI, urethral necrosis, and urinary retention
Treatment:
- Medical management start with sitz baths twice daily and addressing causative factors (treatment constipation, UTI, etc.)
- Can add either topical corticosteroid (hydrocortisone) or estrogen (Estrace or Premarin 0.01% twice daily)
- Urology follow-up necessary as many will require surgical resection of prolapsed mucosa
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: Alarm fatigue (PubMed Search)
Posted: 5/21/2019 by Robert Brown, MD
(Updated: 11/25/2024)
Click here to contact Robert Brown, MD
In a study of alarms from 77 monitored ICU beds over the course of a month at the University of California, San Francisco, false alarms were common. Accellerated Ventircular Rhythms (AVRs) made up roughly one third of the alarms, and of the more than 4,361 AVRs, 94.9% were false while the remaining 5.1% did not result in a clinical action.
While this study had a majority of patients in the Med/Surg ICUs, a minority were from the cardiac and neurologic ICUs giving it some broad applicability. This study adds to the literature indicating there are subsets of alarms which may not be necessary or which may require adjustment to increase specificity.
Suba S, Sandoval CS, Zegre-Hemsey J, et al. Contribution of Electrocardiographic Accelerated Ventricular Rhythm Alarms to Alarm Fatigue. American Journal of Critical Care. 2019; 28(3):222-229
Suba S, Sandoval CS, Zegre-Hemsey J, et al. Contribution of Electrocardiographic Accelerated Ventricular Rhythm Alarms to Alarm Fatigue. American Journal of Critical Care. 2019; 28(3):222-229
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Rotation, Fracture, Phalanx (PubMed Search)
Posted: 5/18/2019 by Michael Bond, MD
Click here to contact Michael Bond, MD
Remember to evaluate for any rotational deformity when evaluating patients with a phalanx fracture.
The easiest way to do this is to have the patient flex all their fingers. They should all point to the scaphoid. If a finger deviates or overlaps another finger there is a rotational deformity. One should also make sure that all the nailbeds align.
This video shows how to evaluate for rotation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhp25UVn7RQ
Even if the finger is reduced otherwise, persistent rotational deformities should be referred to a hand surgeon for consideration of corrective surgery.
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: ingestion, drug overdose, marijuana (PubMed Search)
Posted: 5/17/2019 by Jenny Guyther, MD
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Washington state was one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use. Toxicology call center data was collected on patient's 9 years old and younger with marijuana exposure between July 2010 and July 2016. There were 161 cases during that time frame and of those 130 occurred after the legalization of recreational marijuana (over a 2.5 year period). The median age range was 2 years old. There were increasing cases noted after recreational marijuana was legalized and again after marijuana shops became legal.
Thomas et al. Unintentional pediatric marijuana exposures prior to and after localization and commercial availability of recreational marijuana in Washington state. J Emerg Med 2019 Mar 4.S0736-4679 (19).