Acute acrylamide poisoning with severe symptoms in a short time: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Acrylamide poisoning is often reported as chronic poisoning presenting with peripheral neuropathy or carcinogenic action due to long-term exposure to low concentrations. However, there have been few reports of acute poisoning due to oral ingestion of acrylamide, where the symptoms appear a few hours after ingestion. Here, we report a case of acute acrylamide poisoning where a high concentration was ingested in a short time, resulting in a fatal outcome due to the rapid course of events. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was an adolescent female who ingested 150 ml (148 g) of acrylamide with suicidal intent. A disorder of consciousness was observed when the emergency medical team arrived 36 min later. An hour later, tracheal intubation and intravenous access were performed at a hospital, and 2 h after that, she was transported to our hospital. After she arrived at the hospital, circulatory dynamics could not be maintained despite vasopressor and colloid osmotic infusion, and hemodialysis could not be introduced. Subsequently, cardiopulmonary arrest occurred, and the patient passed away 7 h after ingestion. In the present case, severe symptoms appeared shortly after acrylamide ingestion, unlike other reported cases. In previous report summarizing animal studies, there was a relationship among the symptoms of acute poisoning, the dose, and onset time. The data from this case were compared to those from previous reports, and we were able to predict the early appearance of severe symptoms based on this comparison. CONCLUSION: The severity of acute acrylamide poisoning by oral ingestion was primarily dependent on the amount and rate of ingestion.

Is resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta for computed tomography diagnosis feasible or not? A Japanese single-center, retrospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Advances in medical equipment have resulted in changes in the management of severe trauma. The role of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in this scenario is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the usage of REBOA and utility of computed tomography (CT) in the setting of aortic occlusion in our current trauma management. METHODS: This Japanese single-tertiary center, retrospective, and observational study analyzed 77 patients who experienced severe trauma and persistent hypotension between October 2014 and March 2020. RESULTS: All patients required urgent hemostasis. Twenty patients underwent REBOA, 11 underwent open aortic cross-clamping, and 46 did not undergo aortic occlusion. Among patients who underwent aortic occlusion, 19 patients underwent prehemostasis CT, and 7 patients underwent operative exploration without prehemostasis CT for identifying active bleeding sites. The 24-hour and 28-day survival rates in patients who underwent CT were not inferior to those in patients who did not undergo CT (24-hour survival rate, 84.2% vs. 57.1%; 28-day survival rate, 47.4% vs. 28.6%). Moreover, the patients who underwent CT had less discordance between primary hemostasis site and main bleeding site compared with patients who did not undergo CT (5% vs. 71.4%, p = 0.001). In the patients who underwent prehemostasis CT, REBOA was the most common approach of aortic occlusion. Most of the bleeding control sites were located in the retroperitoneal space. There were many patients who underwent interventional radiology for hemostasis. CONCLUSION: In a limited number of patients whose cardiac arrests were imminent and in whom no active bleeding sites could be clearly identified without CT findings, REBOA for CT diagnosis may be effective; however, further investigations are needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management study, level V.

In-vacuum active colour sensor and wireless communication across a vacuum-air interface.

In situ sensing with wireless digital-data transfer is a potential processing scheme that works very closely to the location of an event monitored by a sensor and converts the sensor's raw output into digitized and informative small-volume bits, as suggested by recent proposals for edge computing and the Internet of Things (IoT). Colour perception may be a target of in situ sensor data acquisition; however, in contrast to from other sensing devices, colour sensors that detect visible light signals are usually located away from light-emitting sources, collecting light transmitting through the space and attenuating it in some manner. For example, in a vacuum chamber whose gas pressure is much less than the ambient atmosphere in which the sensors usually work, there are many veiled light sources, such as discharge plasma, for various industrial purposes including nanoscale manufacturing. In this study, we designed an in-vacuum colour sensor that can work with analogue-to-digital conversion and transfer data by wireless communication; this sensor is active in a low-pressure plasma chamber, detecting light signals and transferring them to a personal computer located outside the vacuum chamber. In addition to detecting lights with controlled spectra from outside successfully, we achieved complete operation of our in-vacuum active sensor for plasma emissions generated at 100 Pa. Comparing the signals with data from simultaneous monitoring by a monochromator, we established that the recorded signals arose from the plasma, confirming successful direct detection of low-pressure plasma emissions without any filtering effects between the sensor and the target object.

Indications for early plasma transfusion and its optimal use following trauma.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of plasma transfusion before urgent hemostasis initiation on in-hospital mortality in hemodynamically unstable patients with severe trauma. METHODS: This retrospective observational study of patients admitted to hospital between January 2011 and January 2019 grouped patients according to whether plasma transfusion was initiated before (Before group) or after (After group) hemostasis initiation. Patients with severe trauma who were unable to wait for plasma transfusion and had started hemostasis before the plasma infusion were excluded. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the effect of plasma transfusion before the initiation of urgent hemostasis on in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: We included 47 and 73 patients in the Before and After groups, respectively. Blunt trauma was more common, and the D-dimer levels and Injury Severity Score were significantly higher in the Before group than in the After group (median D-dimer, 57.5 versus 38.1 µg/mL; P = 0.040; median Injury Severity Score, 50 versus 34; P < 0.001). Plasma given before hemostasis initiation was associated with significantly lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.078-0.900; P = 0.033) in contrast with the total plasma volume given in the first 6 or 24 h. CONCLUSION: Plasma transfusion before hemostasis initiation could be an important factor for improving outcomes in hemodynamically unstable patients with blunt trauma, high D-dimer levels, or a high Injury Severity Score.

Impact of a streamlined trauma management approach and determinants of mortality among hemodynamically unstable patients with severe multiple injuries: a before-and-after retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Trauma management requires a multidisciplinary approach, but coordination of staff and procedures is challenging in patients with severe trauma. In October 2014, we implemented a streamlined trauma management system involving emergency physicians trained in severe trauma management, surgical techniques, and interventional radiology. We evaluated the impact of streamlined trauma management on patient management and outcomes (study 1) and evaluated determinants of mortality in patients with severe trauma (study 2). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 125 patients admitted between January 2011 and 2019 with severe trauma (Injury Severity Score ≥16) and persistent hypotension (≥2 systolic blood pressure measurements <90 mm Hg). Patients were divided into a Before cohort (January 2011 to September 2014) and an After cohort (October 2014 to January 2019) according to whether they were admitted before or after the new approach was implemented. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Compared with the Before cohort (n=59), the After cohort (n=66) had a significantly lower in-hospital mortality (36.4% vs. 64.4%); required less time from hospital arrival to initiation of surgery/interventional radiology (median, 41.0 vs. 71.5 minutes); and was more likely to undergo resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (24.2% vs. 6.8%). Plasma administration before initiating hemostasis (adjusted OR 1.49 (95% CI 1.04 to 2.14)), resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (9.48 (95% CI 1.25 to 71.96)), and shorter time to initiation of surgery/interventional radiology (0.97 (95% CI 0.96 to 0.99)) were associated with significantly lower mortality. DISCUSSION: Implementing a streamlined trauma management protocol improved outcomes among hemodynamically unstable patients with severe multiple trauma. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Current strategy for hollow viscus injury with active bleeding: A case report.

Despite rapid advancements in medical technologies, the use of interventional radiology in a patient with hemodynamic instability or hollow viscus injury remains controversial. Here, we discuss important aspects regarding the use of interventional radiology for such patients. A 74-year-old Japanese male climber was injured following a 10 m fall. On admission, his systolic blood pressure was 40 mmHg. He had disturbance of consciousness and mild upper abdominal pain without peritoneal irritation. Focused assessment sonography for trauma indicated massive hemorrhage in the intra-abdominal cavity. Plain radiographs revealed hemopneumothorax with right-side rib fractures. Thoracostomy to the right thoracic cavity and massive transfusion were immediately performed. Consequently, a sheath catheter was inserted into the common femoral artery for interventional radiology. His systolic blood pressure increased to 80 mmHg owing to rapid transfusion. In the computed tomography scan room, based on computed tomography findings, we judged that it was possible to achieve hemostasis by interventional radiology. The time from hospital admission to entering the angiography suite was 38 min. Transcatheter arterial embolization for hemorrhage control was performed without complications. Following transcatheter arterial embolization, he was admitted to the intensive care unit. All injuries could be treated conservatively without surgery. His post-interventional course was uneventful, and he recovered completely after rehabilitation. Hemorrhage control using interventional radiology should be assessed as a first-line treatment, even in hemodynamically unstable patients having a hollow viscus injury with active bleeding, without obvious findings that indicate surgical repair.

Effect of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in hemodynamically unstable patients with multiple severe torso trauma: a retrospective study.

Background: Although resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) may be effective in trauma management, its effect in patients with severe multiple torso trauma remains unclear. Methods: We performed a retrospective study to evaluate trauma management with REBOA in hemodynamically unstable patients with severe multiple trauma. Of 5899 severe trauma patients admitted to our hospital between January 2011 and January 2018, we selected 107 patients with severe torso trauma (Injury Severity Score > 16) who displayed persistent hypotension [≥ 2 systolic blood pressure (SBP) values ≤ 90 mmHg] regardless of primary resuscitation. Patients were divided into two groups: trauma management with REBOA (n = 15) and without REBOA (n = 92). The primary endpoint was the effectiveness of trauma management with REBOA with respect to in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints included time from arrival to the start of hemostasis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for clinically important variables, was performed to evaluate clinical outcomes. Results: Trauma management with REBOA was significantly associated with decreased mortality (adjusted odds ratio of survival, 7.430; 95% confidence interval, 1.081-51.062; p = 0.041). The median time (interquartile range) from admission to initiation of hemostasis was not significantly different between the two groups [with REBOA 53.0 (40.0-80.3) min vs. without REBOA 57.0 (35.0-100.0) min ]. The time from arrival to the start of balloon occlusion was 55.7 ± 34.2 min. SBP before insertion of REBOA was 48.2 ± 10.5 mmHg. Total balloon occlusion time was 32.5 ± 18.2 min. Conclusions: The use of REBOA without a delay in initiating resuscitative hemostasis may improve the outcomes in patients with multiple severe torso trauma. However, optimal use may be essential for success.

Impact of emergency physicians competent in severe trauma management, surgical techniques, and interventional radiology on trauma management.

AIM: Despite recent advancements in trauma management following introduction of interventional radiology (IVR) and damage-control strategies, challenges remain regarding optimal use of resources for severe trauma. METHODS: In October 2014, we implemented a trauma management system comprising emergency physicians competent in severe trauma management, surgical techniques, and IVR. To evaluate this system, of 5,899 trauma patients admitted to our hospital from January 2011 to January 2018, we selected 107 patients with severe trauma (injury severity score ≥ 16) who presented with persistent hypotension (two or more systolic blood pressure measurements <90 mmHg), regardless of primary resuscitation. Patients were divided according to the date of admission: Conventional (January 2011-September 2014) or Current (October 2014-January 2018). The primary end-point was in-hospital mortality. Secondary end-points included time from arrival to start of surgery/IVR. RESULTS: There were 59 patients in the Conventional group and 48 in the Current group. Although patients in the Current group were more severely ill compared with those in the Conventional group, mortality in the Current group was significantly lower (Conventional 64.4% versus Current 41.7%, P = 0.019), especially among patients whose first intervention was IVR (Conventional 75.0% versus Current 28.6%, P = 0.001). Time from arrival to initiation of surgery/IVR was shorter in the Current group (Conventional 71.5 [53.8-130.8] min versus Current 41.0 [26.0-58.5] min, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This trauma management system based on emergency physicians competent not only in severe trauma management, but also surgical techniques and IVR, could improve outcomes in patients with severe multiple lethal trauma.

Use of interventional radiology as initial hemorrhage control to improve outcomes for potentially lethal multiple blunt injuries.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, trauma management has been markedly improved with interventional radiology (IVR) and damage-control strategies. However, the indications for its use in hemodynamically unstable patients with severe trauma remains unclear. In some cases, IVR may be more effective than surgery for damage-control hemostasis; however, performing IVR in life-threatening trauma settings is challenging. To address this, we practiced and evaluated a trauma-management system with emergency physicians who trained for both severe trauma management, and techniques of surgery and IVR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the 1822 patients with severe trauma admitted between October 2014 and December 2016, 201 underwent emergency surgery or IVR. Among these, 16 patients whose systolic blood pressure was ≤90 mmHg, without improvement following primary resuscitation, and whose first intervention was IVR, were analyzed. We retrospectively evaluated the admission characteristics, IVR-related characteristics, and prognoses, and compared several parameters before and after IVR. RESULTS: This study included 10 men and 6 women (median age: 46 years). IVR was performed for 10 pelvic fractures; five liver-, one splenic-, and one renal injury; and one transection each of the external carotid-, vertebral-, axillosubclavian-, intercostal-, and lumbar arteries. The mean times from the patient arrival, and diagnosis to the start of IVR were 56.3 ±â€¯26.6 and 15.1 ±â€¯3.8 min, respectively. The mean time spent in the angiography suite was 50 min. The systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, base excess/deficit, serum-lactate levels, and D-dimer values were significantly improved after IVR. Although two patients needed additional treatment for morbidities following IVR intervention, all achieved complete recovery. The mortality rate was 25.0%, and no preventable deaths were noted. Eight patients showed unexpected survival. CONCLUSIONS: In some cases, IVR may be the best first measure for resuscitative hemostasis in potentially lethal multiple injuries, given efficient diagnoses/actions and the ability to deal with complications.

Importance of the capability for complete resuscitative treatment combining surgery and interventional radiology for potentially lethal multiple injuries: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Recently, trauma management has been complicated owing to the introduction of damage-control strategies and interventional radiology. Here, we discuss important aspects regarding survival of patients with severe trauma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old Japanese woman experienced a traffic accident on a highway. On arrival, paramedics were unable to measure her blood pressure, and her condition deteriorated. The patient was immediately transferred to our hospital in a physician-staffed emergency helicopter, during which she was administered emergency blood transfusions. On admission, her systolic blood pressure was 44 mmHg, and focused assessment with sonography for trauma yielded positive findings at the anterior mediastinum, right thoracic cavity, and intra-abdominal cavity. Plain radiography revealed a partial unstable-type pelvic fracture. Immediately, cardiac tamponade caused by the massive anterior mediastinal hematoma with internal thoracic vessel injuries was diagnosed through a median sternotomy, while a diaphragmatic rupture and hemorrhage from the intra-abdominal cavity were diagnosed through right anterior-lateral thoracotomy. Furthermore, massive bowel and mesenteric vessel injuries were diagnosed through laparotomy; all of these injuries were treated sequentially as a simplified process. The patient then underwent transcatheter arterial embolization for the retroperitoneal hematoma and the pelvic fracture. Reestablishing intestinal continuity was performed after intensive care. All procedures were seamlessly performed by trained emergency physicians, and the postoperative course was uneventful, with the patient recovering completely after rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The capability to perform complete resuscitative treatments that seamlessly combine surgery and interventional radiology in the appropriate order is important for the survival of patients with multiple traumatic injuries.

A giant abdominal hematoma caused by seatbelt injury led to the development of shock.

Trauma to soft tissues is an important consideration in cases of seatbelt injury, as soft-tissue injury can cause shock. Careful observation for hours in the clinic at least, along with appropriate imaging studies, is necessary if signs of a seatbelt injury exist.

Non-traumatic Bilateral Orbital Subperiosteal Hematoma in a Person Who Attempted Suicide by Hanging.

Orbital subperiosteal hematomas are rare and most often result from facial trauma; however, occurrence of these hematomas due to non-traumatic causes is extremely rare. Herein, we present the case of a 38-year-old man who was transferred to our emergency department because he became comatose after attempting suicide by hanging. He underwent computed tomography (CT) of the head and neck. CT findings revealed a bilateral orbital subperiosteal hematoma. We then performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head for definite diagnosis of hematoma. There is no consensus regarding if this condition should be treated conservatively or surgically. Conservative management was selected for this patient because he was in deep coma. Some non-traumatic causes of orbital subperiosteal hematoma include weight lifting, coughing, vomiting, Valsalva maneuver, labor, and scuba diving. Sudden elevations in cranial pressure may be the mechanism underlying this condition. Although suicide attempt by hanging could have caused a sudden elevation in cranial pressure, this is the first report of the occurrence of this condition. Patients with orbital subperiosteal hematomas generally complain of blurred vision, eye pain, or exophthalmos. However, identifying this sign may be difficult in patients with disturbed consciousness.

Plasma lactate concentration as an indicator of plasma caffeine concentration in acute caffeine poisoning.

AIM: Severe caffeine poisoning is rare, but is associated with high mortality. Plasma caffeine concentration is one of the indications of treatment of caffeine poisoning; however, it is not easily measured at most emergency departments. If the plasma lactate concentration and the plasma caffeine concentration were correlated, the plasma lactate concentration may be an indication of caffeine poisoning. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the plasma lactate concentration and the plasma caffeine concentration. METHODS: From April 2010 to March 2012, 18 patients with severe caffeine poisoning by overdose were admitted at our Emergency Center. The plasma lactate concentration and plasma caffeine concentration of 10 patients were determined at the same time at 12-24 h after admission. These findings were plotted and we analyzed the correlation and trends in these concentrations. RESULTS: There were strong correlations between the plasma lactate concentration and the plasma caffeine concentration at admission (n = 18) and at 12-24 h after admission (n = 10) (correlation coefficients, 0.95 and 0.91, respectively). There was a strong positive correlation between the trend of the plasma lactate concentration and the plasma caffeine concentration (n = 10). The correlation coefficient was 0.91. CONCLUSION: These results are extremely beneficial for emergency department clinical physicians because such findings permit the determination of the severe caffeine poisoning patient. Additionally, the plasma lactate concentration might be one of the indicators of hospitalization and discharge.

Improvement in a patient suffering from cardiac injury due to severe hydrogen sulfide poisoning: a long-term examination of the process of recovery of heart failure by performing nuclear medicine study.

In 2008, 1,007 cases of suicide in which hydrogen sulfide was used as a suicidal agent were reported in Japan, and this has become a serious social problem. Here, we report the successful revival of a patient suffering from a severe disturbance of consciousness and respiratory failure caused by hydrogen sulfide poisoning; further, his condition was complicated by myocardial infarction. This is an important case where we examined the tendency toward improvement in myocardial damage in a patient in the acute phase of severe hydrogen sulfide poisoning who was treated for approximately 6 months.

Successful treatment of a case with acute hepatic failure following hot bath immersion.

Heat stroke is often complicated by hepatic dysfunction as a manifestation of multiple organ dysfunctions, but acute hepatic failure rarely progresses to become the major morbid condition of heat stroke. We encountered a case who survived life-threatening classic heat stroke; the patient developed this condition, subsequently associated with acute hepatic failure, while bathing at home. A 73-year-old man was found in the bath in his home with unconsciousness, and was transferred to a nearby hospital. At the time he was in a coma, but no remarkable abnormalities were detected on blood examination. Rubor of his entire body beneath the cervical region was recognized. Under the diagnosis of a burn with consciousness disturbance, he was referred and transferred to our hospital. He was comatose and his axillary body temperature was 39.7°C. His consciousness improved after admission, but blood examination revealed rhabdomyolysis, DIC and hepato-renal dysfunction. Subsequent blood examination findings showed rapid exacerbation. On the 2nd hospital day, PT% was 12, INR was 4.8. On the 3rd hospital day, serum ALT was elevated to 3,873 U/L, and the patient had hyperammonemia. On the 13th hospital day, serum total bilirubin was elevated to 33 mg/dl. Thereafter, additional conservative treatment produced gradual recovery of hepatic function.