Anaphylactic reaction from atracurium

For induction of anaesthesia many agents are administered intravenously, anaphylactic reaction can occur to any of these agents

Neuromuscular blocking agents are most commonly implicated as the cause of anaphylactic reaction in anaesthesia practice

Amino-steroids, benzylisoquinoliniums and suxamethonium are being commonly used for intubation and perioperative muscle relaxation. We are presenting a case of anaphylactic reaction to benzylisoquinolinium i.e. atracurium in a young patient. The patient was revived with a prompt diagnosis and treatment

Survival of a malignant hyperthermia patient

Malignant hyperthermia is an inherited autosomal life threatening skeletal muscle disorder usually triggered by certain general anesthetic drugs like volatile anesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants [succinylcholine]. Only early recognition and prompt accurate treatment can save life in an otherwise fatal situation. We present a case of a young boy in whom malignant hyperthermia was recognized within 10 minutes of induction of anesthesia and life was saved by prompt treatment even in the absence of dantrolene

Frequency of psychiatric disorders in referred hospitalized patients of other medical disciplines a hospital based study

To asses the frequency of psychiatric disorders in the admitted patients of other medical disciplines at PNS Shifa Karachi. Cross sectional study. Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at PNS Shifa Karachi from April 2007 to Oct 2007. Total of 427 hospitalized patients in other medical disciplines at PNS Shifa Karachi; a tertiary care hospital, referred for psychiatric consultation in sequence were studied. The age of the patients ranged from 13 to 97 years, with the mean age being 43.22 years. Sixty four percent patients of the studied individuals were males. Forty nine percent patients were diagnosed to be suffering from Depression/Dysthymia. Twelve percent patients qualified the diagnosis of Anxiety disorder and Reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorders each. Seventeen percent patients suffered from Dementia, Delirium, Psychoactive substance abuse, Acute and transient Psychotic disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar affective disorder/Mood disorder and Puerperal depression. A considerable proportion of psychiatrically ill patients require psychiatric intervention either because of their primary psychiatric disorder or secondary psychological reactions to physical morbidity. Such intervention in time not only improves the quality of patient's life but also saves the heavy portion of the budget utilized for medical services in these patients later on if not diagnosed earlier