Relationship between blood alcohol concentration and clinical, sociodemographic patterns in drug intoxication patients

Objective@#Although alcohol and suicide are closely related, very few studies have investigated low levels of alcohol ingestion. This study analyzes the relationship between blood alcohol levels and clinical and sociodemographic patterns of intoxicated patients. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective study. Medical records of self-poisoning patients who visited the emergency department (ED) from March 2017 to June 2020 were investigated. Patients were divided into three groups according to the blood alcohol concentration (BAC): no alcohol group (NA; BAC NA > HA. Subjects in the LA group tended to have a lower income than the NA group. The pulse rate was found to be faster in the HA group than in the NA group. Compared to the LA and NA groups, subjects in the HA group underwent more cycles of deaddiction. Admissions were lesser in the LA group compared to the NA and HA groups. @*Conclusion@#Considering that subjects in the HA group underwent more deaddiction than the other groups and had more admissions than the LA group, emergency medical personnel should be alert when an intoxicated patient is completely drunk.

Spinal Cord Compression Due to Mediastinal Extramedullary Plasmacytoma

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a common plasma cell tumor often involving the upper aerodigestive tract. Although extremely rare, mediastinal involvement is possible. An 81-year-old man was presented to our emergency department with chest and back pain with weakness in both legs. Chest X-ray showed a large mass in the upper right mediastinum; subsequently, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging evaluated the mass. He was diagnosed with mediastinal EMP, which progressed to spinal cord compression. The patient was treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Spinal cord compression, due to metastatic tumor, is an emergency clinical situation that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Emergency medicine physicians should be aware of the clinical presentation and complications associated with EMP.

Spontaneous Obliteration of Right Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm after Blunt Chest Trauma: Diagnosis and Follow-Up with Multidetector CT

Right ventricular (RV) pseudoaneurysm caused by trauma is very rare. We report a case of RV pseudoaneurysm which resolved without surgical treatment in a patient who survived a falling accident. Echocardiography failed to identify the pseudoaneurysm. Electrocardiography-gated CT showed a 17-mm-sized saccular pseusoaneurysm arsing from the RV outflow tract with a narrow neck. Follow-up CT after two months showed spontaneous obliteration of the lesion.

A Case of Emphysematous Pyelonephritis Associated with Emphysematous Ureteritis and Cystitis

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma and its surrounding tissues that results in the accumulation of gas in the renal parenchyma, collecting system or perinephric tissue. EPN is a potentially life-threatening condition, which is most commonly associated with poorly controlled diabetes. We describe a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis associated with emphysematous ureteritis and cystitis in a 68-year-old diabetic woman, who was cured with medical treatment and surgical intervention.

A Case of Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm as a Fatal Cause Resulting in Acute Urinary Retention

Internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA) is a type of abdominal aneurysm that is a rare cause of lower urinary tract symptoms because of its anatomic location. If diagnosed after rupture, it can be lethal and surgery is mandatory. A 57-year-old male presented with acute urinary retention and syncope. An intra-abdominal mass initially thought to be an aneurysm was apparent by ultrasound. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen confirmed an internal iliac artery aneurysm accompanied by rupture. The patient was discharged without any complications within 20 days after receiving a vascular graft and resection of the aneurysm.

A Case of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis is a rare, drug-induced disease that is occasionally accompanied by acute renal failure. It is characterized by the abrupt onset of widespread pustules on an erythematous base and rapid spontaneous healing. We report a case involving a 47-year-old male who presented with exanthematous pustules after taking medication. Azotemia was found in the resulting blood test. We were able to achieve the final diagnosis by skin biopsy. After instructing the patient not to take the previous medication, oral steroids were prescribed. He recovered within 2 weeks with just desquamations remaining.