Pain intensity and imaging at the initial phase of acute pyelonephritis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictive factors of urological complication on imaging findings in women with pyelonephritis aged 18 to 65 years. METHODS: We performed an observational, retrospective, single-center study. The medical charts of women diagnosed with pyelonephritis at the emergency department from 2010 to 2015 were reviewed. Only patients who underwent an imaging study at the emergency department and with microbiologically confirmed pyelonephritis were included for analysis. The primary endpoint was the presence of urological complications on imaging findings. The secondary endpoint was treatment changes after imaging diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 193 women enrolled, 88 (45.6%) had urological complication(s) on imaging findings. The multivariate analysis revealed that history of urolithiasis (OR=2.41; P=0.01) and pain requiring morphine use (OR=5.29; P=0.009) were predictive of urological complications on imaging findings. Of the 120 women with uncomplicated pyelonephritis who underwent imaging studies, 45% had urological complication, resulting in a treatment change in 36.7% of patients. The multivariate analysis revealed that age>40 years (OR=4.58; P=0.02) and pain requiring morphine use (OR=3.78; P=0.02) were predictive of urological complication(s) on imaging findings and of treatment change based on imaging findings (OR=6.76; P=0.005 and OR=4.19; P=0.01 respectively) in this subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Pain requiring morphine use, age, and history of urolithiasis are independent predictors of urological complications on imaging findings in patients with acute pyelonephritis.

[Bacterial meningitis: factors related to the delay before appropriate antibiotic administration in the emergency department]. / Méningites bactériennes : facteurs associés au délai d'instauration d'une antibiothérapie adaptée aux urgences.

OBJECTIVES: We had for aim to check the appropriateness of our practices according to French guidelines (17th consensus conference, SPILF 2008) and to identify variables associated with the delay before appropriate measures were implemented. METHODS: Our retrospective observational study (2009-2011) focused on acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in adults. Data was collected on a standardized questionnaire from medical charts and nurse reports. RESULTS: We included 31 adults presenting with ABM; 29 (93.5%) received ceftriaxone or cefotaxime in the emergency department. Indications for corticosteroids and brain imaging complied with guidelines in respectively 71.0% and 83.9% of cases. The median delays (IQR) were: admission/lumbar puncture (LP), 2h43 [1h09-5h57]; admission/antimicrobials, 3h21 [1h34-5h11]. The indication of suspected ABM in the admission letter was associated with earlier LP (P=0.01), and was almost significantly associated also with faster initiation of adequate antibiotic therapy (P=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Suspicion of ABM mentioned in the admission letter was associated to a better management in the emergency department.

[Impact of low-dose CT in the diagnosis and treatment of renal colic in emergency department]. / Impact de la tomodensitométrie faible dose sur le diagnostic et la prise en charge des coliques néphrétiques aux urgences.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance and the benefit in terms of management of low-dose CT for the imaging assessment of renal colic (CN) emergencies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-one patients admitted to emergency for CN were included in this study. Eighty-seven had a low-dose CT and 40 an ASP and an ultrasound (ASPE). Different parameters evaluating the diagnostic performance and efficiency of care were compared between the two groups. The quantitative and qualitative variables were compared by Student t test and χ(2) test, respectively. RESULTS: CT and ASPE confirmed the diagnosis of CN in 76% and 54% of patients, respectively (p=0.013). The average lengths of stay were 408 minutes versus 520 (p=0.013) in group scanner and ASPE, respectively. The scan was obtained more rapidly (139 min versus 224, p=0.002). There were more requests for expert advice (30% versus 20%, p=0.18) and gestures endo-urology (9.5% versus 5%, p=0.31) in the CT group compared to the group ASPE. Finally, the patients in the scanner have less painful recurrences (6% versus 12.5%, p=0.18) and fewer imaging examinations of second-line (0% versus 30%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The low dose CT has been more efficient than the couple ASPE for a CN diagnosis. It optimizes the management of emergency patients by reducing their length of stay, waiting time and the rate of second consultation.

[Adverse drug effects: a prospective study by Apnet performed in seven emergency care units in France: propositions for preventive measures]. / Accidents médicamenteux. (A propos d'une étude prospective de l'Apnet réalisée dans sept services d'accueil et d'urgences français). Propositions pour des mesures préventives.

Various studies have shown that adverse drug effects (ADEs) are a substantial cause of hospital admissions. However, little is known about the incidence and severity of ADEs resulting in hospital visits. To address this issue, we conducted a prospective survey in primary care and emergency departments of French public hospitals. This study was performed over two periods of one week, one in January, February and one in June 2003, in primary care and emergengy departments of four university hospitals and three general hospitals throughout France. Out of a total of 1826 patients consulting, 1663 were taking at least one drug during the previous week and were included for analysis according to the protocol. Altogether, 370 (22.2%; IC 95: 20.2-24.3%) of these patients receiving at least one drug consulted because of an ADE. From these 370 patients, 263 (15.8%) where considered as touched by a probably (12), likely (13) or very likely (14) ADE. The sex ratio was the same in both groups with or without ADE (0.88%; P=0.95). Patients with ADE were older than those without (62.4 vs 53.8 years, P=0.0016). Furthermore, ADE patients were more likely to have a higher severity score than no-ADE group (P=0.0003). The outcome seemed to be worse in patients with an ADE. The percentage of patients treated with 2 or more drugs and the number of drug exposures were significantly higher in patients with ADE than in those without (93.2% vs 84.2%, P<0.0001, and 5.8 vs 4.5 P<0.0001, respectively). The most frequent causes of visits for ADE-patients were digestive (n=38: 14.4%), neurological (n=23: 10.6%), malaise (n=48: 18,2%) events. The most frequently incriminated drug classes were (1) psychotropic agents, (including anxiolytics, hypnotics, antidepressants and antipsychotics), (2) diuretics (3) anticoagulants, (4) other cardiovascular drugs and (5) analgesics, including non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. In 150 cases (40.8%; IC 95: 33.7% - 45%), the ADE was considered to be preventable because a contra-indication or a warning about drug use had not been respected.

[Implication of emergency departments in the regulation of public hospitalizations]. / Place des services d'urgences dans la régulation des hospitalisations publiques.

PURPOSE: Emergency departments become a useful way to access to hospital care. Since these last years difficulties of hospitalization, mainly of the elderly, after visit to the emergency department, are on the increase. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Emergency departments are an important mode of recruitment for hospital units, 4 patients to 10 are hospitalized from emergency departments. The difficulties of hospitalization starting at the emergency department are more important for the elderly. Actually, there are 2 type of hospital care, planed and non planed care. The development of observation units specific to the emergency departments allowed to resolve some of these difficulties. But they are limited by their small number of beds and the duration of hospitalization below to 36 h. Some hospitals developed polyvalent emergency short stay unit to hospitalize patients who visited emergency department without necessity to give them a specialized care. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: This situation must allow us to purpose a better regulation of hospitalizations which includes emergency departments in a network system including the different hospital ways of taking care. A downstream way of care adapted to the emergency hospitalizations would be developed. This could include the emergency department, the observation unit and the emergency short stay unit in interface with internal medicine and general medicine units, geriatric unit and specialized units, all of them will be included in a town-hospital care network.

[Erysipelas. A retrospective series of 92 patients in a department of internal medicine]. / L'érysipèle. Une série rétrospective de 92 patients dans un service de Médecine Interne.

Erysipleas, also known as Saint Anthony's fire, is an acute infection of the skin caused, in most of cases, by group A streptococci. In the past, the most common site of involvement was the face and, in the pre-antibiotic era, mortality was high. In this retrospective study, we highlight the clinical and bacteriological features and report follow-up in 92 patients hospitalized in an internal medicine unit between 1st March 1992 and 31st December 1996 for 94 episodes of erysipelas. The involvement of the lower limbs predominated as involvement of the face is becoming very rare. Streptococci from others groups and Staphylococcus aureus have been implicated on occasions. Recovery is usual even if this infection may greatly weaken these often fragilized patients. In this paper, antibiotic treatment as well as the place of anticoagulants and Doppler ultrasound are discussed. Hospitalization is often necessary but it must not be systematic.

Analysis of time management in stroke patients in three French emergency departments: from stroke onset to computed tomography scan.

The aim of this study was to determine and identify the factors associated with shortening or lengthening time interval from stroke onset to performance of computed tomography (CT) scan in stroke patients admitted to three French emergency departments. All suspected stroke patients were eligible (n = 317). The time intervals between stroke onset and presentation to the emergency department and between CT scan request and CT scan performance were determined. Twelve variables likely to influence time interval before presentation to the emergency department, and five variables likely to influence time interval before CT scan performance were evaluated using stepwise regression analysis. Of the 317 patients included in the study, the mean time interval from stroke onset to CT scan performance for 180 patients was 7 hours 46 minutes (466 minutes). The mean time interval between stroke onset and presentation to the emergency department was 4 hours 36 minutes (276 minutes), varying according to the study site, level of initial severity, medical contact before admission, witnesses at stroke onset, and mode of transportation. The mean time interval between request and CT scan performance was 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes), varying upon the site, hour of CT scan request, type of stroke and level of severity at admission. It is concluded that current delays in stroke management are often incompatible with early treatment. The public needs to be informed and admission procedures reorganized. Improved response to the urgency of ischaemic stroke is required as well as direct access to the scanner during periods of scheduled use.

Trial of dexamethasone treatment for severe bacterial meningitis in adults. Adult Meningitis Steroid Group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical benefit of early adjunctive dexamethasone therapy for severe bacterial meningitis in adults. DESIGN: Multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial initiated in emergency or intensive care units in France and Switzerland. Within 3 h after initiation of an aminopenicillin therapy, patients received dexamethasone (10 mg q.i.d.) or placebo for 3 days. The primary end-point was the rate of patients cured without any neurologic sequelae on day 30. RESULTS: Sixty patients were enrolled, predominantly with a severe form since 85% required ICU stay and 43% mechanical ventilation. Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 31 cases and Neisseria meningitidis for 18 cases. The study had to be stopped prematurely because of a new national recommendation of experts to use third generation cephalosporin and vancomycin as a result of the increasing rate of penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae in France. After the third sequential analysis by the triangular statistical test, the difference of rate of cured patients without any neurologic sequelae was not statistically significant (p = 0.0711) between the dexamethasone group (74.2%; n = 31) and the placebo group (51.7%; n = 29). Furthermore, the former group was younger and less sick at inclusion. CONCLUSION: Bacterial meningitis is still a severe disease in adults, since the overall observed rate of death or severe neurologic sequelae was 26.7%. The reported data are inconclusive regarding a systematic use of dexamethasone as an adjunctive therapy for bacterial meningitis in adults. Moreover this treatment impairs antibiotic penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that can lead to therapeutic failure, particularly in areas with high or increasing rates of penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae.

Treatment of the adult Guillain-Barré syndrome: indications for plasma exchange.

The Guillain-Barré syndrome is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis. Currently, 5% of patients die and 10% are left with severe motor sequelae at one year. Multidisciplinary teams, trained to specific treatments, are required to manage these patients. Oral and intravenous steroid treatment of GBS has been disappointing. Two large randomized clinical trials comparing plasma exchange (PE) to standard supportive treatment have shown a short-term and a one-year benefit of PE. Appropriate number of exchanges and indications of PE are now more precisely known. Patients with mild forms of the disease (able to walk) should receive two PEs, while a further two exchanges should be done in case of deterioration or in advanced forms (loss of walking ability, mechanical ventilation). A greater number of exchanges does not appeared beneficial. More recently, two randomized trials produced some evidence that intravenous immune globulin (IVIg, 0.4 g/kg daily for five days) and PE had equivalent efficiency in advanced forms. The combination of PE with IVIg did not yield a significant advantage, but did increase cost and risk. In advanced forms, the choice between PE and IVIg depends on the contraindications of each treatment.

[Treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults: role of plasma exchange]. / Les traitements du syndrome de Guillain-Barré de l'adulte: place des échanges plasmatiques.

PURPOSE: To review recent data on treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome, especially indications of plasma exchange. DATA SYNTHESIS: Guillain-Barré syndrome is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis. The current mortality is 5%, sever motor sequelae persist after 1 year in 10% of cases. Multidisciplinary teams are required to treat these patients, trained to all specific treatments. Oral and intravenous steroids have proven ineffective. Two large randomized clinical trials comparing plasma exchange (PE) with no treatment have shown a short-term and a 1-year benefit. Appropriate number of exchanges and indications are now more precisely known. In mild form (walking possible), patients should receive two PEs. A further two exchanges should be done in case of deterioration or in advanced forms (loss of walking ability, mechanical ventilation). More exchanges are not beneficial. Recently two new randomized trials have produced evidence that intravenous immune globulin (IVIg) (0.4 g/kg/d for 5 days) were as effective as five PEs in advanced forms. The combination of PE with IVIg did not confer a significant advantage, while increasing cost and risks. CONCLUSION: The combination of PE with IVIg did not confer, in advanced forms, the choice between PE and IVIg depends of the contra-indications of each treatment.

Calcium free hemodialysis: experience in the treatment of 33 patients with severe hypercalcemia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, adverse effects and relevance of calcium-free hemodialysis (CFHD) in the treatment of major hypercalcemia. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Medical ICU. PATIENTS: All patients admitted over a 9-year period for hypercalcemia requiring urgent treatment and who underwent hemodialysis. INTERVENTIONS: CFHD with an acetate dialysate. MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-three patients with severe hypercalcemia from various etiologies received CFHD. Marked and rapid decrease of serum total calcium was obtained during all sessions (mean decrease: 1.71 +/- 0.54 mmol/l). Calcium rebound within 24 h after CFHD was observed in all evaluable cases (1 +/- 0.45 mmol/l; mean delay 13.7 +/- 5.8 h). Adverse cardiovascular effects occurred in 17 of 48 sessions (35%) and in 13 of 30 evaluable patients (43%). CONCLUSIONS: Adverse effects are frequent during CFHD. After correction of hypovolemia, its use should be restricted to patients with severe clinical symptoms or advanced renal impairment.

A microcomputer teaching and decision-support system for emergency medicine: use of hypermedia and artificial intelligence in combination.

Hospital emergency units are submitted to a continuous intensive and polyvalent practice of medicine. In addition to the few experienced physicians, the medical staff is often made up of young and unskilled students and residents. The ability to reach at any time a wide and flexible knowledge is of the utmost importance to improve the quality of care given to patients and to perfect bedside teaching. The purpose of this work was to present a computerized system, a kind of shell, using, in combination, artificial intelligence and hypertext/hypermedia tools. A modular architecture is presented integrating two entities: an illustrated encyclopedic hypertext network and several expert modules based on production rules concerning well-limited fields of medicine (basic clinical problem-solving, metabolic and acid-base disorders). An interface using the World Wide Web (WWW) will soon be proposed.

[Indications of partial interruption of the inferior vena cava in pulmonary embolism]. / Indications d'interruption partielle de la veine cave inférieure dans l'embolie pulmonaire.

Forty years after the first implantation of caval filters, there is still no indication for implantation validated by a controlled clinical trial. This fact may be explained by our poor understanding of the evolution of thromboembolic disease, especially in certain groups of patients. The absolute contra-indications to heparin therapy would seem to be a logical indication for a caval filter. In cases of a relative contra-indication to anticoagulants, the physician has to rely on his clinical judgement and the decision will be taken case by case. In patients with suspected pulmonary embolism under anticoagulant therapy, it is also logical to check that anticoagulation is effective, and to request proof of embolism, to assess its risk and that due to thrombosis before considering a caval filter. The prophylactic implantation of a caval filter is a very controversial indication whether the thrombus is proximal in the ilio-caval region, extensive, not uncommon despite treatment, or floating. For groups said to be at high risk of thromboembolism (elderly, malignant disease or multiple injuries), there is no consensus because of the discordant results in the literature. The implantation of a filter would seem to be justified in patients with chronic cor pulmonale after pulmonary embolectomy. The value of a temporary caval filter during thrombolysis has not been demonstrated; there are hopes that temporary filters "of long duration" will provide filtration of the vena cava during vulnerable periods. The results of the first controlled trial (PREPIC) are eagerly awaited and should rationalise the indications of inferior vena cava filters.

[Epidemic bacterial meningitis in adults and the elderly]. / Méningites bactériennes communautaires de l'adulte et du vieillard.

Epidemic bacterial meningitis in the adult and the elderly are essentially due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Neisseria meningitidis and Listeria monocytogenes. Their poor prognosis is mainly due to the severity of the associated encephalitis, responsible for neurological sequelae and for mortality ranging from 20 to 30% in pneumonococcal and Listeria meningitis. Treatment associates an antibiotic having rapid antibactericidal action in the CSF, suppression of possible foci of primary infections and intensive care required by the frequency of associated visceral insufficiency. Present research is centered on: 1. the appearance and progression of pneumococcal lines resistant to penicillin; 2. the trials of modulators of the inflammatory response, notably dexamethasone; 3. the improvement of antibiotic concentrations in the CSF and the cerebral parenchyma, particularly in listeria infection.

[Convulsive seizures of alcoholics in emergency situation]. / Crises convulsives de l'alcoolique en situation d'urgence.

Current medical practice in emergency rooms and epidemiologic studies show that ethylalcohol abuse both induces alcohol-related seizures and promotes seizures of other origin. Careful neurological examination, particular clinical signs and evolution over the first 24 hours constitute the first stage of the diagnosis. Only brain CT scan establishes the real cause of the seizures. Treatment of seizures is at first aetilogic. In alcohol-related seizures, the alcoholic condition does not warrant the use of anticonvulsivants. Abstinence prevents alcohol-related seizures while the persistence of the intoxication leads to hazardous observance of drug intake.

Plasma exchange morbidity in Guillain-Barré syndrome: results from the French prospective, randomized, multicenter study. The French Cooperative Group.

OBJECTIVES: To describe all adverse events occurring during plasma exchange sessions in adult patients with the Guillain-Barré syndrome. To analyze these events with regard to the technical modalities and biological changes induced by sessions, and to try to identify a population at high risk for adverse events. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, prospective, multicenter trial. SETTING: A total of 28 French and Swiss intensive care units. PATIENTS: The study is based on 220 patients allocated either to plasma exchange (n = 109) or not (n = 111). This study focused on 105 patients who received at least one plasma exchange, with replacement fluid secondly allocated by randomization to albumin, or fresh frozen plasma. A total of 105 patients underwent 390 plasma exchanges. Fifty-five patients received albumin (208 sessions) as replacement fluid, and 50 patients received fresh frozen plasma (182 sessions). INTERVENTIONS: Prospective monitoring of patients for each session including technical modalities, adverse effects, and biological parameters. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 253 adverse incidents were recorded. At least one adverse incident occurred in 39% of plasma exchange sessions among 80 (76%) patients. In 15 patients, plasma exchange treatment had to be discontinued because of severe intolerance (six patients, including three patients with severe bradycardias), intercurrent complications, mainly infections (four patients), and technical difficulties. One patient with pneumococcal septicemia and pneumonia died during the second plasma exchange session. Fresh frozen plasma was associated with more adverse incidents than albumin (135 vs. 118, p = .008). The occurrence of adverse events was also related to the preplasma exchange hemoglobin level assessed before the session (p = .04). Otherwise, the frequency of adverse effects did not depend on technical modalities (type of equipment, anticoagulation). Age, sex, previous history, neurologic severity, and the need for mechanical ventilation, as assessed on inclusion in the study, did not modify the risk of adverse effects. Finally, occurrence of bradycardia did not rely on initial neurologic severity. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that fresh frozen plasma should be abandoned as replacement fluid in plasma exchanges of Guillain-Barré syndrome patients. They also underline the need for close monitoring of patients during sessions and, especially, the respect of treatment contraindications. Some adverse incidents could be attributed to the underlying disease rather than to the plasma exchange session.

Acute renal failure following collective intoxication by Cortinarius orellanus.

Twenty-six young men with no previous medical history all ingested mushroom soup, exclusively made with Cortinarius orellanus. They were hospitalized 10-12 days after the incident. On admission, 12 patients presented with acute tubulointerstitial nephritis with acute renal failure; 8 required haemodialysis. In addition to symptomatic treatment, 9 patients were given corticosteroids. In this group of 12 patients, 8 recovered rapidly, and the other 4 suffered from chronic renal failure for several months. In the other group of 14 patients, initial leukocyturia was observed in 12 cases, although renal function remained normal during a one-year follow-up. Hepatic acetylation and hydroxylation tests performed after 6 months in 22 patients did not provide any explanation for the strong individual sensitivity to the renal toxicity of this fungus.

[Anti-basement-membrane antibody mediated, rapidly progressive, glomerulonephritis. Diagnostic and therapeutic strategy based on a retrospective study of 14 cases]. / Glomérulonéphrites rapidement progressives à anticorps anti-membrane basale glomérulaire. Stratégie diagnostique et thérapeutique à partir d'une étude rétrospective de 14 cas.

Fourteen cases of anti-GBM antibody-induced RPGN were evaluated retrospectively in terms of renal function improvement and therapeutic risks. Nine men and 5 women (mean age: 55.3 years) were observed over a 9 year period; in three patients, hemoptysis was associated with renal disease (Goodpasture's syndrome). Most of these patients had received combinations of steroid therapy (ST), immunosuppressive drugs (IS) and plasma exchanges (PE). Age, duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis, initial renal function, therapeutic modalities and complications were assessed according to renal outcome: 9 patients (group A, "non-responders") remained on dialysis irrespective of the treatment administered; 5 patients (group B, "responders") recovered renal function. Complications, especially infections, were twice as frequent in group A. Two of the 4 recorded deaths were related to the disease or the treatment. Analysis of clinical and pathological values at the time of entry into the study for both groups indicated that oliguria/anuria, serum creatinine greater than 500 mumol/l and greater than 50% crescents, when associated, were factors predictive of poor renal outcome; in these patients, dialysis may be required except in cases of pulmonary hemorrhage. In all other patients, treatment with ST, IS and PE is recommended. Active hemoptysis necessitates pulse steroids or PE; if absent, further tests (carbon monoxide uptake, bronchoalveolar lavage, lung biopsy) are indicated before use of aggressive therapy.