Sedat Yanturali

Interrelation between the Poisoning Severity Score, carboxyhaemoglobin levels and in-hospital clinical course of carbon monoxide poisoning

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between the Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) and carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) levels in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning (COP) using outcome as the measure. The study was designed as a retrospective chart review of patients with final diagnosis of COP. Correlation of PSS and COHb levels at presentation was evaluated with collected data. Majority of the cases were grade 1 (minor) PSS (134 cases, 73.6%) and 93.4% of these patients made a complete recovery. There were six deaths (mortality 3.3%) and six in‐hospital major complications (IHMCs) (3.3%) (please specify whether the complications were in the patients who died). There is moderate correlation between PSS and outcome (p < 0.001, r = 0.493). Grade 3 (severe) PSS was significantly different from other grades for outcome (six mortalities and three IHMCs). Patients classified as grade 3 and patients who died had a significantly higher mean age (p < 0.05, 41.8 ± 23.6 and p < 0.01, 60.1 ± 20.3, respectively). Mean COHb level of grade 3 (33.2 ± 13.9%) was significantly higher than that of other grades (p < 0.05). COHb levels according to outcome were not different (? within the patients in grade 3). Decreased level of consciousness, acidosis, tachycardia, high glucose and leucocyte levels showed significant relation with higher PSS, COHb level and adverse outcome. We conclude that the PSS is a reliable guide in COP. Value of the PSS in COP may be enhanced if additional factors and investigations are included.

CLINICAL EFFICACY OF DEXAMETHASONE FOR ACUTE EXUDATIVE PHARYNGITIS

The objective of this study was to investigate whether treatment with single-dose dexamethasone can provide relief of symptoms in acute exudative pharyngitis. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was undertaken over a 3-month period in a university-based Emergency Department. The study included all consecutive patients between 18 and 65 years of age presenting with acute exudative pharyngitis, sore throat, odynophagia, or a combination, and with more than two Centor criteria. Each patient was empirically treated with azithromycin and paracetamol for 3 days. The effects of placebo and a fixed single dose (8 mg) of intramuscular injection of dexamethasone were compared. The patients were asked to report the exact time to onset of pain relief and time to complete relief of pain. After completion of the treatment, telephone follow-up regarding the relief of pain was conducted. A total of 103 patients were enrolled. Thirty patients with a history of recent antibiotic use, pregnancy, those who were elderly (>65 years of age) and patients who failed to give informed consent were excluded. Forty-two patients were assigned to the placebo group and 31 were assigned to the intramuscular dexamethasone group (8-mg single dose). Time to perceived onset of pain relief was 8.06+/-4.86 h in steroid-treated patients, as opposed to 19.90+/-9.39 h in the control group (p=0.000). The interval required to become pain-free was 28.97+/-12.00 h in the dexamethasone group, vs. 53.74+/-16.23 h in the placebo group (p=0.000). No significant difference was observed in vital signs between the regimens. No side effects and no new complaints attributable to the dexamethasone and azithromycin were observed. Sore throat and odynophagia in patients with acute exudative pharyngitis may respond better to treatment with an 8-mg single dose of intramuscular dexamethasone accompanied by an antibiotic regimen than to antibiotics alone.

Massive hydroxychloroquine overdose

We report a case presenting with massive overdose of hydroxychloroquine who survived without any sequelae. A 17‐year‐old girl presented to the Emergency Department 45 min after the ingestion of 22 g of hydroxychloroquine in a suicide attempt. We believe this is highest dose yet reported in the medical literature. The patient developed hypotension, life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmias and mild hypokalemia. She was managed with saline infusion and dopamine for hypotension, gastric lavage and activated charcoal for decontamination, lidocain, magnesium sulfate and defibrillation for pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Potassium replacement and bicarbonate administration were performed. Quick treatment of hypotension, gastric decontamination, continuous long‐term cardiac monitoring, and treatment of arrhythmias are the cornerstones of hydroxychloroquine overdose management.

Brugada syndrome, manifested by propafenone induced ST segment elevation

We report a case of a 43 year old man who was diagnosed with Brugada syndrome after propafenone administration for chemical cardioversion of new onset atrial fibrillation. Brugada syndrome has been described in the medical literature and is thought to be responsible for the majority of sudden cardiac deaths in patients without ischaemic heart disease. This syndrome has not yet been extensively discussed in the emergency medicine literature despite its importance. Emergency physicians should consider Brugada syndrome in patients who present to the emergency department with right bundle branch block and ST segment elevation in the right precordial leads, which is the classic electrocardiographic pattern of this syndrome.

Adverse events associated with aggressive treatment of increased blood pressure

Patients with severely increased blood pressure often present to the emergency department. Rapid lowering of blood pressure can precipitate or worsen end organ damage. We report two cases that developed cerebrovascular and cardiovascular adverse events associated with aggressive treatment of increased blood pressure by the use of sublingual nifedipine capsule. The first patient had developed ischaemic stroke; the second patient actually had acute left ventricular failure causing deteriorated, and required positive inotropic treatment for persistent hypotension. These cases emphasise that the pseudoemergency may rapidly progress into a real emergency when blood pressure is rapidly and aggressively reduced.

A case report of an unusual sternal fracture

Most sternal fractures are transverse, and a lateral chest radiograph is diagnostic. We report a case of vertical sternal fracture that was not seen on plain radiographs but was revealed using computed tomography (CT). Thoracic CT with coronal reformatted images can also demonstrate sternal fracture lines, supernumerary synchondrosis, and costosternal joint abnormalities.

Novel biochemical marker for differential diagnosis of seizure: ischemia-modified albumin

INTRODUCTION Differential diagnosis of seizure is critical in patients presented to emergency department (ED) with altered mental status or loss of consciousness. Although electroencephalogram is important for the diagnosis of seizures, its use in EDs is limited. The level of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) increases in conditions of ischemic distress such as acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and mesenteric ischemia. No studies exist in literature regarding the increase of IMA levels parallel to increased seizure activity in adults. The aim of the study was to investigate the diagnostic value of IMA in adult patients presented to ED with seizures. METHODS Forty patients presented to ED with seizure, and 40 control patients of similar age and sex as the study group were enrolled in this study. Initial and fourth-hour levels of IMA and albumin were measured. Groups were compared in terms of sociodemographic data and details regarding their seizures as well as initial and fourth-hour levels of IMA. RESULTS Mean levels of IMA were 61.5 IU/mL and 18.5 IU/mL (P < .001) initially and 56.7 IU/mL and 15.4 IU/mL (P < .001) at the fourth hour; levels were higher in the study group compared with control group. Ischemia-modified albumin/albumin ratios in study and control groups were 1555.3 IU/g and 462.4 IU/g (P < .001) initially and 1431.4 IU/g and 383.6 IU/g (P < .001) at the fourth hour, respectively. CONCLUSION Blood IMA level and IMA/albumin ratio significantly increase in adult patients who experienced seizures. Ischemia-modified albumin may be considered as a useful biomarker in the differential diagnosis of seizure.

A potential pitfall in the diagnosis of renal colic: renal infarction.

Renal infarction is a rarely seen clinical condition with a nonspecific presentation. It often presents as renal colic or an acute abdomen and is initially misdiagnosed. In patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain or flank pain resistant to treatment, renal infarction must be considered, especially if they have thromboembolic risk factors. Abdominal computerized tomography with intravenous contrast is the choice of imaging because of its high sensitivity. We report cases of 2 patients who presented to our ED with flank pain and hematuria. They were diagnosed with urethral colic from stones as an initial diagnosis. They were further evaluated for thromboembolic risk factors and persistent flank pain, and a final diagnosis of renal infarction was given. Renal infarction is a rare condition with a nonspecific presentation [1]. It is infrequently included in the differential diagnosis of abdominal and flank pain, and the diagnosis is often delayed [2,3]. Cases of renal infarction have been misdiagnosed as renal colic, nephrolithiasis, and acute abdomen. Patients with renal infarction most frequently present with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever [1,4]. In half of the patients, the diagnosis is missed on initial presentation [1,3,5,6]. In many cases of renal infarction, the patient has a history of arrhythmia or valvular disease. We present 2 patients who came to the emergency department (ED) with renal colic and was given the diagnosis of renal infarction. With these cases, we discuss the clinical presentation, laboratory testing, and imaging techniques used to diagnose renal infarction. A 54-year-old woman presented to the ED with right flank pain radiating to the abdomen with onset 30 minutes This study has been accepted for poster presentation at The First Eurasian Congress on Emergency Medicine, November 5 to 9, 2008, in

The comparison of the efficiency of traditional lectures to video-supported lectures within the training of the Emergency Medicine residents.

Objectives Recent developments in computer and video technology, multimedia resources enter quickest way possible into medical education and have started to gain popularity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of video-supported lectures on leaning, with comparison to traditional lectures. Methods According to lecture techniques, two separate groups; one is the traditional lectures group (TLG) and the other is video-supported lectures group (VSLG), are formed. While the TLG is offered a traditional lecture the VSLG is offered a video-supported lecture with imbedded videos which are related to the topics in the traditional lecture. Both study groups take pretest and posttest with MCQs (multiple choice questions) and OSCEs (objective structured clinical examination). Results The study includes 30 volunteer residents in Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine. No difference is observed between TGL and VSLG in pretest and posttest scores (p = 0.949, p = 0.580). And additionally, comparing the scores of both groups, we cannot observe any difference between the pretest OSCE scores of each group (p = 0.300), however posttest OSCE scores shows a dramatic odd in-between (p = 0.010). When pretest MCQs and posttest MCQs mean scores are compared, both tests (TLG, VSLG) has not any significant difference (p=0.949, p = 0.580). Nevertheless, after comparing OSCEs pretest and posttest mean scores, we can see significant difference in mean scores of both (TLG, VSLG), (p = 0.011, p = 0.001). Conclusions Taken into consideration, the findings of this study shows possibility of improving educational techniques to acquire clinical skills by using local resources and low-cost technology.

Emergency department visits caused by adverse drug reactions: results of aTurkish university hospital.

BACKGROUND/AIM We aimed to evaluate adverse drug reaction (ADR)-related emergency department (ED) visits in the ED of the Dokuz Eylül University Hospital prospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients who were admitted to the ED during 1-week periods of four different seasons between July 2010 and April 2011 were enrolled. Demographics of patients, previous ADR history, clinical progress, and outcomes were recorded. Causality assessment was done according to World Health Organization Uppsala Monitoring Centre categories. ADRs were categorized as certain, probable, or possible. RESULTS Patients who were on medications (26.5%, n = 1838) were evaluated for ADR-related ED admissions. ADRs accounted for 5.9% of cases (n = 108). The most frequently affected systems were the gastrointestinal (35.2%, n = 38), dermatological (23.1%, n = 25), and hematological (10.2%, n = 11) systems (7.4%, n = 8). The most common causes of ADRs were antiinfectives (31.6%, n = 33). Amoxicillin, Coumadin, and paracetamol were the most common medications that caused ADRs. CONCLUSION Nearly 6% of the admissions were ADR-related. ADRs should always be considered when patients who are on medication are admitted to the ED. Multicenter epidemiologic studies are required to know the real rates of ADR cases in EDs in Turkey.