Agitation Management in Pediatric Males with Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis.

OBJECTIVES: Severe agitation is a common symptom in pediatric cases of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis-an autoimmune encephalitis with prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms. Agitation is a major barrier to treatment of the underlying disease process and increases patients' risk of harming themselves and others. Furthermore, male patients often have undetectable tumors and are especially at risk for extended hospitalization, but have been infrequently studied. This report presents a case series of four pediatric male patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis complicated by agitation, the strategies used to address treatment challenges, and a review of the current literature. METHODS: A chart review of four agitated pediatric male patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and a PubMed search of the current literature were conducted. RESULTS: A number of first-generation and second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) have been reported for use in child and adult patients; however, treatment with these antipsychotics often has been complicated by movement disorders and autonomic instability caused by the underlying encephalitis that appears similar to and can be exacerbated by adverse effects of antipsychotics, including neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), and tardive dyskinesia. The literature shows SGAs to be less likely to cause NMS and quetiapine to be one of the least likely SGAs to cause EPS. However, quetiapine has rarely been reported for use in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. In the four pediatric male patients, quetiapine was generally effective, well tolerated, and not associated with NMS or significant EPS. CONCLUSION: These cases and review of the literature suggest that quetiapine may be particularly beneficial for treating agitation secondary to anti-NMDAR encephalitis in pediatric patients and have fewer adverse effects.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor encephalitis: diagnosis, optimal management, and challenges.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor (NMDA-R) encephalitis is a new autoimmune disorder, often paraneoplastic in nature, presenting with complex neuropsychiatric symptoms. Diagnosed serologically, this disorder is often responsive to immunosuppressant treatment. The objective of this review is to educate clinicians on the challenges of diagnosis and management of this disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the relevant literature on clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and recommended management was conducted using a PubMed search. Examination of the results identified articles published between 2007 and 2014. RESULTS: The literature highlights the importance of recognizing early common signs and symptoms, which include hallucinations, seizures, altered mental status, and movement disorders, often in the absence of fever. Although the presence of blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid autoantibodies confirms diagnosis, approximately 15% of patients have only positive cerebrospinal fluid titers. Antibody detection should prompt a search for an underlying teratoma or other underlying neoplasm and the initiation of first-line immunosuppressant therapy: intravenous methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, or plasmapheresis, or a combination thereof. Second-line treatment with rituximab or cyclophosphamide should be implemented if no improvement is noted after 10 days. Complications can include behavioral problems (eg, aggression and insomnia), hypoventilation, catatonia, and autonomic instability. Those patients who can be managed outside an intensive care unit and whose tumors are identified and removed typically have better rates of remission and functional outcomes. CONCLUSION: There is an increasing need for clinicians of different specialties, including psychiatrists, neurologists, oncologists, neurooncologists, immunologists, and intensivists to become familiar with this disorder and its potential complications. Remission can be optimized with prompt detection and aggressive, collaborative treatment within a multidisciplinary team.

Factors associated with substance use in adolescents with eating disorders.

PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with substance use in adolescents with eating disorders (EDs). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 290 adolescents, aged 12-18 years, who presented for an initial ED evaluation at The Eating Disorders Program at the University of Chicago Medicine between 2001 and 2012. Several factors including DSM-5 diagnosis, diagnostic scores, and demographic characteristics were examined. Multinomial logistic regression was used to test associations between several factors and patterns of drug use for alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, and any other substance. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence of any substance use was found to be 24.6% in those with anorexia nervosa, 48.7% in bulimia nervosa (BN), and 28.6% in ED not otherwise specified. Regular substance use (monthly, daily, and bingeing behaviors) or a substance use disorder was found in 27.9% of all patients. Older age was the only factor associated with regular use of any substance in the final multinomial model. Older age and non-white race was associated with greater alcohol and cannabis use. Although binge-purge frequency and bulimia nervosa diagnosis were associated with regular substance use in bivariate analyses, gender, race, and age were more robustly associated with substance use in the final multinomial models. CONCLUSIONS: Co-morbid substance use in adolescents with EDs is an important issue. Interventions targeting high-risk groups reporting regular substance use or substance use disorders are needed.

Surgical outcome of community-acquired Clostridium difficile colitis presenting as toxic megacolon: case report.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, there has been an increase in both community-acquired and health-care-associated Clostridium difficile colitis secondary to broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure. Toxic megacolon is a rare complication of pseudomembranous colitis that often necessitates emergency colectomy. METHODS: Review of the pertinent English-language literature. RESULTS: We present a case of community-acquired C. difficile colitis that made its initial presentation as fulminant toxic megacolon. Six months after a total colectomy, the patient has no complaints. CONCLUSION: Prompt total colectomy may improve survival in patients with toxic megacolon. The incidence of C. difficile-related toxic megacolon and post-operative outcomes of total colectomy should be investigated in a larger observational study.

Laser-assisted voice adjustment (LAVA) in transsexuals.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate results of laser-assisted voice adjustment (LAVA) surgery in male-to-female (MTF) transsexual patients with androphonia. METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective case-control study of MTFs who underwent CO2 laser vocal fold vaporization between 1997 and 2003. Thirty-one patients were self-referred for voice feminization. Pre- and postoperative evaluations were completed. Patients' voices were recorded to obtain Fo before and after surgery. Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaires were completed by post-LAVA patients. A panel of blinded listeners identified patients as male or female based on samples of connected speech recorded over the telephone. RESULTS: Mean follow-up (23 weeks) revealed pitch increases averaging 26 Hz. Self-evaluations revealed increases in voice femininity, congruity with self-image, and satisfaction. However, the evaluations also showed decreased vocal quality, loudness, and vocal range. Mean VHI was consistent with VHI scores associated with Reinke's edema. Six of 10 patients were consistently perceived as female. CONCLUSION: LAVA provides a conservative treatment for androphonia. Postoperative voice therapy may optimize outcomes.