Extension of a Scapular Fracture into the Glenoid Cavity after Low-voltage Electric Shock

We, herein, present a patient with no history of trauma who developed shoulder pain after undergoing low-voltage electric shock. According to the computed tomography, there was a multi-segmental fracture that extended into the glenoid cavity of the left scapula. A good outcome was obtained after open reduction and internal fixation. Emergency physicians should be aware of the possibility of scapular fracture extending into the glenoid cavity, especially in patients with shoulder pain after electrical injury.

A Case of Zoletil, Veterinary Anesthetic Poisoning

Zoletil is a non-narcotic, nonbarbiturate, injectable veterinary anesthetic agent, which is routinely used as a veterinary anesthetic. Zoletil is an equal weight (1:1 ratio) combination of tiletamine hydrochloride and zolazepam hydrochloride. Tiletamine is a dissociative anesthetic agent with pharmacological similarity to ketamine, and zolazepam is a nonphenothiazine, diazepinone minor tranquillizer similar to diazepam. Zoletil is the term used in Europe and Telazol is used in the USA. Adverse effects of zoletil in animals include salivation, vomiting, tachycardia, seizures, central nervous system stimulation, apnea, and prolonged recovery time. A 30-year old male who was poisoned with zoletil visited our emergency center and presented with several symptoms. We report on a case of Zoletil poisoning.

Maritime Remote Medical Advice Performed by Emergency Medical Information Center in South Korea

PURPOSE: Seafarers injured at sea need appropriate and prompt medical advice. Since 2002, the Busan emergency medical information center (BEMIC) has provided remote medical advice to vessels on the distant ocean via telephone, e-mail, facsimile and radio-transmission. METHODS: Seventy-four cases had requested remote medical advices to BEMIC from Jan 2005 to Jul 2005, and they were studied retrospectively. We analyzed patients' general characteristics, type of disease or injury, dispositions, and so forth. The cases were classified into three groups according to disposition. Class I was defined as a case which required simple treatment. Class II involved medical or surgical treatment with close observation. Class III required transfer to the nearest harbor instantly due to severe or uncertain condition. RESULTS:The nationalities of subjects were Korean (32.4%), Southeast Asians (35.1%), Chinese (24.3%) and others. The most common symptom was abdominal pain (24.3%). The patients'disease types were acute disease (53.4%), trauma (20.3%), burn (13.7%), chronic disease (8.2%) and others. There were 8 voluntary medication cases, which were performed by seamen before taking medical advice. The dispositions were class I (6.8%), class II (39.7%), and class III (53.5%), respectively. A cross-sectional study between the types and the dispositions was performed, revealing a statistical significance (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite the lack of any kind of direct support from ship companies or governments, the remote medical advice service has performed. Enhancing educational programs based on this data is necessary in order to provide effective education of seafarers.