Valproic Acid Overdose Review of a Case With Electrocardiographic Changes.

BACKGROUND: Valproic acid (VPA) is increasingly used to treat a variety of medical disorders, such as seizures, psychiatric disorders, and headaches. Therefore, accidental and intentional ingestions with valproic acid are increasing. OBJECTIVES: A case is presented in an adolescent with ischemic electrocardiographic changes after an acute overdose with VPA. DISCUSSION: Major features of a valproic acid overdose include respiratory depression, progressive coma, hepatotoxicity, thrombocytopenia, and hemodynamic instability. Electrocardiographic abnormalities usually consist of tachycardia and nonspecific changes. Supportive care is indicated in most overdoses and involves the monitoring and correction of electrolyte abnormalities, coagulopathies, and acid-base imbalances. Treatment may include activated charcoal, naloxone, l-carnitine, and extracorporeal detoxification. CONCLUSIONS: Valproic acid overdose is a relatively rare and electrocardiographic changes usually consist of tachycardia and nonspecific changes, but ischemic changes may occur and usually transient and require only recognition.

Venezuelan equine encephalitis in a teenager visiting Central America.

BACKGROUND: Stupor, coma, and other alterations of consciousness are among the most serious life-threatening emergencies faced by the emergency department physician. When a patient arrives with altered mentation from Central or South America, the usual causes that occur in the United States must be considered; however, other unusual tropical disease must be excluded, such as Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review the clinical features of VEE. CASE: A 17-year-old female traveled to Belize and developed vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headaches, and myalgias. Over the next few hours, she became disoriented and had a generalized seizure. She was given diazepam, 50% dextrose, phenytoin, mannitol, and vitamin K. A computed tomographic scan of the head was unremarkable. Her parents arranged for a medical air transport. After eliminating other possibilities, she was diagnosed with VEE, which was confirmed in the laboratory. Over the next week, her mental status improved back to her normal neurologic baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Venezuelan equine encephalitis is an acute viral disease that causes acute illness in equines and humans, with symptoms ranging from a mild, flu-like syndrome to encephalitis or death. Laboratory abnormalities are common and include elevated hepatic transaminases, lymphocytosis, eosinophilia, and thrombocytopenia. Treatment is supportive, and complete recovery is expected within several weeks in most patients.

Thrombolytic therapy for acute stroke in a teenager.

BACKGROUND: The importance of thrombolytic therapy within the first 3 hours of onset of symptoms of an acute stroke has been stressed, and in consequence, the diagnosis is most commonly made based on clinical grounds. Intracranial hemorrhage is the major life-threatening complication with the use of thrombolytic therapy. Because of the very small time window before administering thrombolytics, it is often not possible to investigate the unusual causes of a stroke that occurs most often in children. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present the decision and risk of thrombolysis for an acute ischemic stroke in children. CASE: A case of a teenager with an acute ischemic stroke who received thrombolysis and had resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Thrombolytic therapy is effective in acute ischemic strokes; however, in children, one must consider and exclude stroke mimickers and recognize that potentially life-threatening bleeding complicates the use of these medications.

Craniofacial injuries from television tip-over.

BACKGROUND: Craniofacial injuries caused by television (TV) sets falling on small children are becoming a frequent event seen in emergency departments. Injuries occur primarily to the head and neck regions and range from contusions to intracerebral hemorrhage, which at times can be fatal. OBJECTIVES: Epidemiology and potential complications from TV tip-over injuries are presented. CASE: Three cases of craniofacial injuries are described from blunt trauma incurred from TV tip-over events. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to teach parents about the dangers of the new large slim TV sets and the occurrence of injuries when these are not secured properly or placed away from the reach of the child.

Ischemic electrocardiographic changes and elevated troponin from severe heatstroke in an adolescent.

BACKGROUND: Heatstroke can result in significant diffuse tissue derangement, which can result in multiple organ system dysfunction. The heart can equally be affected and ischemia and infarction may occur. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present the potential complications from heatstroke to the myocardium. CASE: A case of a 15-year-old adolescent boy who collapsed after playing football in a hot summer day was found to be hyperthermic and poorly perfused. He had ischemic electrocardiographic changes and elevated cardiac enzymes but with normal coronary arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Heatstroke can lead to morbidity and mortality. Tissue damage during heatstroke is believed to result from uncoupling during oxidative phosphorylation. It is important to realize that heart damage can occur from heatstroke and that appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures are required for a good outcome.

Cervical spondylodiscitis, osteomyelitis, and epidural abscess mimicking a vertebral fracture.

BACKGROUND: Spinal vertebral fractures are common in elderly patients, especially after a significant fall. Neck tenderness or neurologic deficits after a fall should increase the suspicion of cervical spinal fracture. CASE REPORT: A 75-year-old woman complained of 2 weeks of gradually increasing neck and right shoulder pain after a fall. She had an X-ray study that appeared to show an unstable C6-C7 fracture. A computed tomography scan of the neck revealed no fracture and was consistent with spondylodiscitis and osteomyelitis of C6 and C7, with an adjacent epidural abscess and mild cord compression. CONCLUSION: It is important to consider this diagnosis in patients with a history of infective endocarditis who develop back pain, to minimize morbidity associated with this disorder.

Myocardial infarction and stroke as the presenting symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Hyperleukocytosis in acute leukemia is associated with lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and central nervous system complications. Patients with hyperleukocytosis have lower complete remission rates and have a higher mortality rate, primarily from intracranial hemorrhage. OBJECTIVES: To present the potential complications from extreme leukocytosis. CASE REPORT: A 76-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with chest pain, right-sided weakness, and decreased responsiveness. He was diagnosed with both an acute stroke and myocardial infarction due to extreme leukocytosis from acute myeloid leukemia. Each of these complications by itself would be an unusual manifestation of hyperleukocytosis. To the best of the author's knowledge, this represents the first reported case of these two complications simultaneously from extreme leukocytosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acute leukemia may present with hyperleukocytosis, which may result in decreased tissue perfusion. Ischemia occurring in the heart can lead to an acute myocardial infarction, whereas ischemia in the brain can lead to a stroke. These events may, on occasion, be the initial presentation of leukemia. Rapid identification and treatment of the hyperleukocytosis may prevent these complications.

Delayed subdural hematoma after receiving enoxaparin for prevention of thromboembolic events from high-risk surgery.

Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a low­molecular weight heparin used to prevent deep venous thrombosis in patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty. Anticoagulation in a patient after trauma may be dangerous and lead to significant hemorrhage. An elderly man fell and sustained a concussion and a hip fracture. His initial computed tomographic scan of the head was normal. He received enoxaparin perioperatively and developed a delayed extensive subdural hematoma. Although enoxaparin has been shown to be an effective and a safe drug for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in orthopedic surgeries and trauma, severe bleeding may rarely occur, especially in the setting of head trauma. Other therapies for venous thromboembolic prophylaxis, such as mechanical thromboembolism prophylaxis methods, should be considered.

Lumbar vertebral fractures in children: four cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral fractures and severe injuries to the spine cord in children are rare and account for a small proportion of all childhood injuries. Pediatric vertebral and spinal cord injuries have unique characteristics depending on their age. Young children sustain upper cervical spine injuries, which are more serious injuries and have a higher mortality rate. Older children have lower spine injuries and thoracoabdominal injuries. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to present the epidemiology and potential complications from lumbar spine fractures. CASES: There were 4 cases of older children who sustained lumbar vertebral fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Fractures of the lumbar spine in children, although relatively rare, are important to understand. Patterns of injury with vertebral and spinal cord injuries in children vary from those of adults. The biologic differences of children make differences in fracture patterns and alter the management necessary for successful treatment. Errors in management can have adverse effects on these injuries.

Neuroblastoma causing acute urinary retention: a rare presentation.

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children under the age of 5 years and, after acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is the second most prevalent malignancy in childhood. Acute urinary retention is rare in children, especially due to a neuroblastoma. OBJECTIVES: To present the potential complications of a pelvic neuroblastoma. CASE REPORT: A 9-month-old infant presented with urinary retention that had been attributed in the past to the infant's chronic constipation. She was catheterized and a large residual of urine was obtained; she was discharged home. She returned the following day with the same complaint. Plain radiographs suggested a soft tissue density in the pelvic region with no evidence of constipation. Rectal examination revealed a mass, and a computed tomography scan showed a large, solid mass. Pathological examination confirmed a pelvic neuroblastoma, which was resected. CONCLUSIONS: The most common causes of acute urinary retention are urinary tract infections, lower urinary stones, neurologic processes, trauma, and constipation. A detailed and focused history and physical examination can be very helpful in diagnosing a pathological cause of urinary retention, such as a pelvic neuroblastoma.

False-negative capnographic reading caused by a malfunctioning bag-valve-mask device resulting in a pneumomediastinum.

Bag-valve-mask ventilation is generally a safe, and often a life-saving procedure for children who are unable to oxygenate or ventilate by themselves. A case is presented which describes a malfunctioning expiratory valve in a disposable manual bag-valve-mask device resulting in a pneumomediastinum in a child. This is a rare cause of a false-negative colorimetric end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) reading after endotracheal intubation. However, it is important to recognize so that further adverse outcomes can be prevented.

Hereditary angioedema presenting as epiglottitis.

Hereditary angioedema is a disorder characterized by decreased levels or function of complement C1 esterase inhibitor. Symptoms in children generally consist of recurrent episodes of soft tissue swelling. On rare occasion, it can cause airway edema which may lead to airway obstruction. A case is presented of a child presenting with epiglottitis requiring intubation. Initial management of this rare complication should be directed at establishing an adequate airway and ensuring good oxygenation and ventilation. In addition, prompt administration of C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate is the most effective means of stopping progression of laryngeal edema and other forms of swelling. Commonly used agents for airway edema such as glucocorticoids, antihistamines, H1-blockers, and epinephrine tend not to be effective for reducing swelling related to hereditary angioedema.

Unsuspected acetaminophen toxicity in a 58-day-old infant.

Acetaminophen is frequently used by both physicians and parents for the relief of pain and fever in infants and children of all age groups. It has an excellent safety profile in therapeutic doses, but hepatotoxicity can develop following both intentional or unintentional overdoses. Repetitive doses of acetaminophen, usually in supratherapeutic amounts, but not always, in ill infants have been associated with hepatotoxicity. Acetaminophen toxicity may be very difficult to diagnose in young infants when suspicion for this entity is low. In addition, initial signs and symptoms are nonspecific and biochemical evidence of hepatic damage may not become evident for 24 to 36 hours. We report the case of an infant who received multiple doses of acetaminophen during an illness who developed hepatotoxicity.

Sturge-Weber syndrome presenting as an acute life-threatening event.

Young infants may present to an emergency department after an acute life-threatening event. The differential diagnosis for an acute life-threatening event is quite extensive. Fortunately, most will have benign or treatable causes. A case of Sturge-Weber syndrome is described in a 2-day old who presented to the emergency department after an acute life-threatening event. A thorough history and detailed physical examination are generally helpful in discerning the etiology for most acute life-threatening events and may at times reveal unusual diseases such as Sturge-Weber syndrome.

Elevated cardiac troponin I in a 9-week-old infant.

Myocardial ischemia in children is generally not suspected when they present to an emergency department with congestive heart failure. However, the opposite holds true for an adult patient. Elevated cardiac troponin is a specific biochemical marker for myocardial damage for both adults and children, however, they have not been routinely used in children at risk for myocardial damage. A case is presented of an infant with a complex congenital heart defect with congestive heart failure who was found to have an elevated cardiac troponin. Infants at risk for myocardial damage should have an evaluation of cardiac markers, as infants with elevated levels are prone to dysrhythmias or worsening cardiac function and thus warrant closer observations and therapy.

Edema, anemia, hypoproteinemia, and acrodermatitis enteropathica: an uncommon initial presentation of cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder characterized by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pancreatic exocrine deficiency, and abnormally high sweat electrolyte concentrations. Less frequently, the presenting features in infants may include edema, anemia, hypoproteinemia, and acrodermatitis enteropathica. Liver involvement may produce hepatomegaly and mild elevation of transaminases. This clinical symptom usually presents within the first 6 months of life and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Early recognition and institution of appropriate nutritional supplementation and pancreatic enzymes is essential to improve outcome. Since the sweat test may be falsely negative, emergency physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion to make the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in an infant who presents with edema, anemia, hypoproteinemia, and acrodermatitis enteropathica.

Lymphocytic vasculitis associated with the anthrax vaccine: case report and review of anthrax vaccination.

Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacteria Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally, but recently has been manufactured as a biological warfare agent. This makes prophylaxis for anthrax an urgent concern and efforts are ongoing for the production of an efficient and safe vaccine. Side effects to the current anthrax vaccine are usually minor and mainly consist of local skin reactions. Occasionally an unusual complication may occur; a case of a patient with lymphocytic vasculitis temporally associated with the anthrax vaccine is reported.