COVID-19-induced Acute Psychosis Resulting in a Suicide Attempt: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Psychosis associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been previously, but infrequently, reported in the literature. We present a rare case of COVID-19-associated severe psychosis and suicide attempt in an 80-year-old male with no personal or known family history of psychiatric disease. Our patient's symptoms appeared to be longer lasting than most other reported cases in the available literature. CASE REPORT: After a COVID-19 diagnosis, our patient experienced fluctuating, long-lasting psychiatric symptoms over a six-month period. During this time, he was unable to function independently. Suggested mechanisms involve a multifactorial combination of neuroinflammation and increased societal stress due to the direct and indirect effects of the virus, respectively. CONCLUSION: More research is needed to help identify risk factors, prognostic indicators, and a standard of care for psychosis associated with COVID-19.

Rare atypical presentation of a polymicrobial gastropericardial fistula.

We present the unique case of a gastropericardial fistula with a rare, delayed presentation in a man in his 70s. Relevant surgeries include Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure device placement 1 year prior to arrival and gastric bypass surgery 20 years prior to arrival. The patient presented to the emergency department with weakness, diarrhoea and left knee pain. He was admitted for cellulitis of the left lower extremity, prosthetic septic arthritis of the left knee and group G streptococcus bacteraemia. His hospital course was complicated by acute chest pain and dyspnoea. Imaging revealed pneumopericardium. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy visualisation confirmed the diagnosis of gastropericardial fistula. The patient could not be transferred to a tertiary centre for definitive management because of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on tertiary hospital volumes. After pericardial drainage and administration of antimicrobials without improvement, the patient was discharged to hospice care at his request and died 1 day after discharge.

Anaphylaxis Caused by Swimming: A Case Report of Cold-induced Urticaria in the Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: Cold-induced urticaria is a subset of physical urticaria that presents as wheals or angioedema in response to cold exposure. While most cases are idiopathic, secondary associations with infections, medications, and certain cancers have been described. CASE REPORT: We discuss the case of a 50-year-old male with recent episodes of urticaria from cold air exposure following a flu-like illness six months prior, who presented with symptoms of anaphylaxis upon jumping into a lake. CONCLUSION: While the majority of patients develop localized symptoms, understanding this disease entity is imperative as up to one-third of patients can develop severe symptoms including anaphylaxis, particularly from water submersion during activities such as swimming.

The Case of the Lime-green Stool: A Case Report and Review of Occult Blood Testing in the Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: Food dyes mimicking gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage have been described in literature. However, reports of food additives causing melanotic stools and falsely positive fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) are uncommon in literature. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 93-year-old with FOBT positive melanotic stool, felt to be falsely positive due to food additives. CONCLUSION: Evaluation for GI bleeding accounts for 0.3% of yearly visits to the emergency department (ED). While FOBT is commonly used, its clinical validity in the ED is not supported by guidelines. We showcase the limitations of the FOBT and review the causes of false positive FOBT.

Hypoglycemia Worsened by Glucose Administration: A Case of Hypoglycemia Years After Gastric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Noninsulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome (NIPHS) is a rare syndrome characterized by postprandial hypoglycemia with neuroglycopenic symptoms occurring 1 to 3 h after a meal. Diagnosis can be elusive, as the vast majority of patients have normal fasting blood glucose levels, and onset of hypoglycemic episodes can be a late complication of gastric surgery. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 45-year-old woman presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with new-onset seizures and hypoglycemia worsened by glucose administration. Surgical history is pertinent for a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass approximately 10 years prior to presentation. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Although rare, it is important for emergency physicians to be vigilant of this disease process as a traditional treatment approach for hypoglycemia may be detrimental. Although cases of NIPHS have been documented in literature, its presence in emergency medicine-specific literature is seemingly nonexistent. Noninvasive imaging techniques will be normal, and diagnosis is dependent on awareness of this disease entity coupled with a detailed history.

Emergency Department Management of COVID-19: An Evidence-Based Approach.

The novel coronavirus, SARs-CoV-2, causes a clinical disease known as COVID-19. Since being declared a global pandemic, a significant amount of literature has been produced and guidelines are rapidly changing as more light is shed on this subject. Decisions regarding disposition must be made with attention to comorbidities. Multiple comorbidities portend a worse prognosis. Many clinical decision tools have been postulated; however, as of now, none have been validated. Laboratory testing available to the emergency physician is nonspecific but does show promise in helping prognosticate and risk stratify. Radiographic testing can also aid in the process. Escalating oxygen therapy seems to be a safe and effective therapy; delaying intubation for only the most severe cases in which respiratory muscle fatigue or mental status demands this. Despite thrombotic concerns in COVID-19, the benefit of anticoagulation in the emergency department (ED) seems to be minimal. Data regarding adjunctive therapies such as steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories are variable with no concrete recommendations, although steroids may decrease mortality in those patients developing acute respiratory distress syndrome. With current guidelines in mind, we propose a succinct flow sheet for both the escalation of oxygen therapy as well as ED management and disposition of these patients.

An Eye with a Heartbeat: Carotid Cavernous Fistula-a Case Report.

BACKGROUND: A carotid cavernous fistula is a rare type of arteriovenous (AV) fistula due to an abnormal communication between the cavernous sinus and the carotid arterial system. Normal venous return to the cavernous sinus is impeded as high-pressure arterial blood enters the cavernous sinus. The classical triad of symptoms is characterized by pulsating exophthalmos, ocular bruit, and conjunctival chemosis. However, it is important to note that some patients do not exhibit this triad of symptoms. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with a chief complaint of "there is a heartbeat in my eye." Pertinent history included an episode of trauma 2 months prior to his onset of unilateral vision loss. Computed tomography scan of the head obtained in the ED upon his initial injury was unrevealing. Despite no identifiable pathology, his pain had gradually worsened since ED discharge. On this occasion, an ocular bruit was appreciated over the affected eye, prompting further diagnostic testing. The patient was admitted for urgent cerebral angiography and definitive endovascular neurosurgical intervention to preserve his eyesight. We discuss the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and diagnostic modalities important to the management of this rare and potentially devastating cause of vision loss. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: A carotid cavernous fistula is a rare and easily misdiagnosed cause of unilateral ocular pain in the ED. Further, it emphasizes the importance of a detailed clinical history and physical examination to make this diagnosis and save eyesight.