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Background Little is known about the emergency department (ED) visits from drug-related injury among older adults in Taiwan. This study seeks to identify risk factors associated with adverse drug events (ADEs) leading to ED visits. Methods We prospectively conducted a case–control study of patients 65 years and older presenting to the ED. ED visits between March 1, 2009 and Feb 28, 2010 identified by investigators for suspected ADEs were further assessed by using the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction probability scale. For each patient with an ADE, a control was selected and time-matched from the ED population of the study hospital. The association between the risk of adverse drug events and triage, age, gender, serum alanine transaminase (ALT), serum creatinine, number of medications, and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were analyzed using logistic regression. Results Of 20,628 visits, 295 ADEs were physician-documented in older adults. Independent risk factors for ADEs included number of medications (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 4.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4–6.9 for 3–7 drugs; adjusted OR = 6.4; 95% CI 3.7–11.0 for 8 or more drugs) and increased concentration of serum creatinine (adjusted OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.1–2.2). Diuretics, analgesics, cardiovascular agents, anti-diabetic agents and anticoagulants were the medications most commonly associated with an ADE leading to ED visits. Conclusions This study suggests that prevention efforts should be focused on older patients with renal insufficiency and polypharmacy who are using high risk medications such as anticoagulants, diuretics, cardiovascular agents, analgesics, and anti-diabetic agents.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical use of inflammatory marker triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1 at admission for differentiating between typical and atypical bacterial community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).A prospective, noninterventional study of patients with CAP hospitalized through the emergency department was performed. Surface expression of TREM-1 was analyzed using flow cytometry on peripheral blood cells, and soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1) concentration was determined in plasma.Eighty-eight patients with clinical suspicion of CAP were eligible. The causative pathogen was identified in 39 patients (44.3%). After excluding 4 mixed pneumonia cases, 21 typical and 14 atypical bacterial infections were enrolled. Patients with typical bacterial CAP demonstrated increased TREM-1 surface expression on monocytes and neutrophils. Median plasma sTREM-1 levels at admission were 65.2 pg/mL (range, 17.6-138.1 pg/mL) in patients with typical CAP and 25.9 pg/mL (range, 11.5-54.8 pg/mL) in patients with atypical CAP (P.001). Soluble TREM-1 had good discriminative value to differentiate typical from atypical pathogens with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.98). At a cutoff level of 44.2 pg/mL, sTREM-1 yielded a sensitivity of 81%, a specificity of 79%, a positive likelihood ratio of 3.79, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.24.In newly admitted patients with CAP, determination of the TREM-1 levels may provide useful additional diagnostic information on the bacterial etiology.

Background: Long-term use of warfarin can provide benefits in the treatment of many diseases, but adverse bleeding events are unpreventable because of a narrow therapeutic range. Objective: The aim of this retrospective chart review with data abstraction was to investigate the clinical presentations of intestinal intramural hemorrhage in emergency department (ED) patients. Methods: We reviewed the cases of 17 patients with acute abdominal pain in our ED. Medical records including demographic data and results of abdominal computed tomography were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Results: The mean ± SD age of the reviewed patients was 77.7 ± 8.5 years (range, 60-93 years). The mean ± SD duration from onset of symptoms to ED visit was 2.5 ± 1.3 days (range, 1-5 days). All patients had abdominal pain, and 64.7% had nausea/vomiting. A total of 64.7% of patients had peritoneal signs. The jejunum was most commonly involved (88.2% of all cases). The maximal mean ± SD wall thickening of the bowel was 14.1 ± 4.4 mm (range, 7.4-26.7 mm), and the estimated mean ± SD length was 35.6 ± 24.4 cm (range, 9-105 cm). The mean ± SD prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were prolonged to 86.5 ± 26.9 and 116.2 ± 43.1 seconds, respectively. All patients received medical treatment and survived. At the last follow-up (mean, 27.4 months), none of the patients had recurrence of intestinal intramural hemorrhage or intestinal obstruction. Conclusion: Prolonged prothrombin time and drug history can indicate the possibility of intramural intestinal hemorrhage, and abdominal computed tomography may help to exclude surgical diseases and prevent unnecessary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cavernous hemangioma in the cavernous sinus (CS) is a rare vascular tumor. Direct microsurgical approach usually results in massive hemorrhage. Radiosurgery has emerged as a treatment alternative to microsurgery. OBJETIVE: To further investigate the role of Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) in treating CS hemangiomas. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 7 patients with CS hemangiomas treated by GKS between 1993 and 2008. Data from 84 CS meningiomas treated during the same period were also analyzed for comparison. The patients underwent follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 6-month intervals. Data on clinical and imaging changes after radiosurgery were analyzed. RESULTS: Six months after GKS, magnetic resonance imaging revealed an average of 72% tumor volume reduction (range, 56%-83%). After 1 year, tumor volume decreased 80% (range, 69%-90%) compared with the pre-GKS volume. Three patients had > 5 years of follow-up, which showed the tumor volume further decreased by 90% of the original size. The average tumor volume reduction was 82%. In contrast, tumor volume reduction of the 84 cavernous sinus meningiomas after GKS was only 29% (P < .001 by Mann-Whitney U test). Before treatment, 6 patients had various degrees of ophthalmoplegia. After GKS, 5 improved markedly within 6 months. Two patients who suffered from poor vision improved after radiosurgery. CONCLUSION: GKS is an effective and safe treatment modality for CS hemangiomas with long-term treatment effect. Considering the high risks involved in microsurgery, GKS may serve as the primary treatment choice for CS hemangiomas.

Background : Spleen artery embolization (SAE) increases the success of nonoperative management of spleen injury; however, the immune alternation after SAE is unclear. This study searched the endotoxin responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in injured patients who received SAE. Methods : Patients were subsequently enrolled when their spleen injuries were confirmed by computed tomographic scan. Peripheral blood samples were obtained within first, at third, fifth, and seventh postinjury days. PBMCs were isolated; nuclear factor (NF)-kB translocations, phosphorylated I-kB expressions, and in vitro tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels were assayed after endotoxin stimulation (ES). Results : Sixteen patients who received nonoperative managements were enrolled. Five patients received SAE (embolized patients) and 11 patients did not (nonembolized patients). Compared with those in controls, NF-kB translocations, phosphorylated I-kB expressions, and TNF-alpha levels after ES decreased significantly early in injured patients. NF-kB translocation and TNF-alpha levels after ES were indifferent at seventh day between nonembolized patients and controls, whereas significantly lower NF-kB p65 translocation and TNF-alpha levels after ES were found at seventh postinjury day in embolized patients than in controls. Compared with nonembolized patients, embolized patients had significantly lower levels of NF-kBp50 translocations after ES from first to third postinjury days and lower levels of NF-kB p65 translocations, TNF-alpha, and phosphorylated I-kB expressions after ES from first to fifth postinjury days. Conclusions : SAE dysregulates the NF-kB system and aggravates the cytokine hyporesponse upon ES of PBMCs in patients with spleen injury. These results implicate that SAE alters immune response and may increase susceptibility to infections in injured patients.

Background: Elderly persons with acute poisoning in the emergency department (ED) and prognostic factors of outcomes have not been well addressed in previous research. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of elderly patients with acute poisoning visiting the ED, and to identify the possible predictive factors of mortality. Methods: Patients aged ≥ 65 years with acute poisoning who visited the ED in Taipei Veterans General Hospital from January 1, 2006 through to September 30, 2008 were enrolled in the study. We collected demographic information on underlying diseases, initial presentations, causes and toxic substances, complications, dispositions, and outcomes. Analyses were conducted among different groups categorized according to age, suicide attempt, and outcome. Multiple logistic regression was applied to identify possible predictive clinical factors influencing mortality in the elderly with acute poisoning. Results: A total of 250 patients were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 77 years and male predominance. The most common cause of intoxication was unintentional poisoning. Medication accounted for 57.6% of poisonous substances, of which benzodiazepine was the most common drug, followed by warfarin. The overall mortality rate was 9.6%. The average length of stay in the ED increased significantly in the old (65–74 years), very old (75–84 years) and extremely old (≥ 85 years) groups. Suicide attempt patients experienced more complications including respiratory failure, aspiration pneumonia, hypotension and mortality. Three clinical predictive factors of mortality were identified: herbicide poisoning, hypotension and respiratory failure upon presentation. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that elderly patients with acute poisoning had a mortality rate of 9.6%. Suicide attempts resulted in more serious complications. The risk factors for mortality were herbicide intoxication, hypotension and respiratory failure. [J Chin Med Assoc 2010;73(2):78–87]

Background One of the oldest Chinese herbal medicine, bajiaolian is widely used in traditional therapy. In Taiwan, bajiaolian is the fifth highest cause of poisoning among herbal medicines. The diagnosis is difficult because physicians are unfamiliar with this medicine's multiple presentations in different stages of intoxication. Procedures The records of 4 major poison centers in Taiwan were searched for all bajiaolian intoxication from July 1985 (the opening of first poison center) to March 2003. Two emergency physicians with toxicologic training reviewed the admission charts and visited case patients for follow-up. Findings Seventeen patients were identified, of which 15 (88.2%) had been misdiagnosed initially. In the beginning of their medical care, 14 cases were diagnosed as acute gastroenteritis. Conclusion Bajiaolian intoxication is probably misdiagnosed because of early gastrointestinal symptoms followed by neurologic symptoms. A detailed patient history should be taken, and symptoms should be reviewed systemically to improve diagnostic accuracy.

ED is a common channel for older people to seek for medical services. However, unlike most care homes in the world, veterans care home in Taiwan has a constantly operating outpatient and inpatient services. Therefore, utilization of ED services among veterans care home may be different from most care home residents. Records of residents in Banciao Veterans Home residents visiting the ED of Taipei Veterans General Hospital from January to December of 2006 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Demographic variables including age, sex, modes of arrival, category of triage, time of visit, main presenting symptoms, principal diagnosis, medical expenditure and the disposition after the ED visit or after admission to wards were carefully recorded. In total, 368 residents (mean age = 81.9 ± 5.9 years, all men) with 635 visits were identified. Nearly a half of Banciao Veterans Home residents had visited ED for at least once in 2006 and the medical expenditure was four times higher than other ED visitors. In average, 52.3% of ED visitors would be hospitalized and the most common diagnosis was infectious conditions. Onsite primary care geriatricians may play an important role in such settings.

Envenoming by Protobothrops mucrosquamatus and Viridovipera stejnegeri accounts for the majority of venomous snakebites in Taiwan. We conducted a retrospective study to systematically examine the clinical manifestations and responses to antivenom therapy after P. mucrosquamatus and V. stejnegeri envenoming. Information on demographic characteristics, treatments, and systemic/local complications were abstracted from medical charts between 1991 and 2006. One hundred forty-nine patients with P. mucrosquamatus envenoming and 51 with V. stejnegeri envenoming were eligible for the final analysis, and they differed in terms of patient age, bite site, local bruising, proportion of patients needing >/= 3 vials of antivenom, and mean hospital stay. Univariate analysis revealed that P. mucrosquamatus envenoming had a higher risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, cellulitis, necrosis, and skin graft. Our findings suggested that P. mucrosquamatus envenoming was associated with a greater risk of severe clinical events, and monitoring for major clinical complications would be recommended.

Background This study retrospectively reviewed 9 patients who underwent occipitocervical fixation with a newly developed screw-rod fixation system between April 2004 and November 2005. The objective was to evaluate the clinical result of occipitocervical fixation with the screw-rod fixation system, including symptom relief, fusion rate and complications. Methods All 9 patients received occipitocervical fixation surgery with screw-rod fixation system and autologous bone grafts for fusion. Fusion was assessed by plain cervical X-ray films, and the myelopathy by Nurick scale. Results Four males and 5 females were enrolled into this study. Mean age was 58.8 years, and mean follow-up period was 15 months. One female patient experienced surgical site infection with instrument pullout 20 months after surgery; she received a second operation for instrument revision. The overall fusion rate was 100%. The mean Nurick scores were 3 preoperatively and 2.1 postoperatively, with advancement of 0.9 points on average. Seven of 9 patients experienced pain or myelopathy improvement. There were no complications except for the 1 infection mentioned above. Conclusion The fusion rate, complication rate and improvement in neurological function of occipitocervical fixation surgery using the screw-rod system were comparable to those of the widely used wire-rod system and screw-plate system.

This study is to investigate the clinical utility of detection of peripheral blood triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1 mRNA as an early indicator of sepsis among critically ill patients and to compare the results of TREM-1 with those of C-reactive protein (CRP). A prospective, non-interventional study of 127 patients with at least two criteria of the systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) was performed. TREM-1 was assessed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The diagnosis of SIRS only was made in 41 patients (32%), and the diagnosis of sepsis was made in other 86 patients (68%). TREM-1 mRNA expression had the comparably discriminative value to differentiate the presence from the absence of infection, with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.75 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.67-0.84] than CRP [AUC, 0.72 (95% CI, 0.62-0.81)]. As an indicator of sepsis, a TREM-1 mRNA expression ratio cutoff value of 58.8 had a sensitivity of 72%, a specificity of 71%, a positive likelihood ratio of 2.5 and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.39. Furthermore, TREM-1 mRNA expression was selectively higher in septic patients caused by extracellular bacteria or fungi [112.4 (19.3-680.1)], than in those caused by intracellular bacteria or viruses [18.8 (7.6-53.0), p < 0.001]. There was no difference in plasma CRP levels between both septic groups (p = 0.782). TREM-1 and CRP are similar diagnostic markers of sepsis. The different ability of extracellular and intracellular pathogens to induce TREM-1 expression may provide a potential marker for differential diagnosis.

Objective To determine the predictive capability of heart rate variability (HRV) measures of patients with sepsis in the ED for in-hospital death. Methods This was a prospective, observational study. A consecutive cohort of patients visiting the ED of a university teaching hospital who met the criteria of sepsis over a 6-month period were enrolled in this study. General demographics, vital signs, laboratory data, and Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis score were obtained in the ED; the in-patient medical record was reviewed; and a series of continuous 10-minute electrocardiographic signals were recorded for off-line HRV analysis to assess the in-hospital mortality of the patients. Results One hundred thirty-two patients aged 27 to 86 years who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. According to the in-hospital outcome, the patients were categorized into 2 groups: nonsurvivors (n = 10) and survivors (n = 122). The baseline HRV measures, including SDNN, TP, VLFP, LFP, and LFP/HFP ratio, of nonsurvivors were significantly lower, whereas the nHFP was significantly higher, than those of survivors. Multiple logistic regression model identified SDNN and nHFP as the significant independent variables in the prediction of in-hospital mortality for ED patients with sepsis. The receiver operating characteristic area for SDNN and nHFP in predicting the risk of death was 0.700 and 0.739, respectively. Conclusions Heart rate variability measures, especially the SDNN and nHFP, may be used as valuable predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis attending the ED.

The principal objective of this study was to evaluate serial weight changes in athletes during 12- and 24-hour ultra-marathons and to correlate these changes with athletic performance, namely the distance covered.This was a prospective study.The 2003 Soochow University international ultra-marathon.Fifty-two race participants.12- or 24-hour ultra-marathon.Body weight changes were measured before, at 4-hour intervals during, and immediately after the 12- and 24-hour races.Significant overall decreases in body weight were apparent at the conclusion of both races. The mean relative body weight change after the 12-hour race was -2.89 +/- 1.56%, ranging from 0 to 6.5%. The mean relative body weight change after the 24-hour race was -5.05 +/- 2.28%, ranging from -0.77% to -11.40%. Of runners in the 24-hour race, 26% lost greater than 7% of baseline body weight during the race. During both the 12- and 24-hour races, the greatest weight change (decrease) occurred during the first 4 hours. Weight remained relatively stable after 8 hours, although a further decrease was apparent between 16 and 20 hours in the 24-hour participants. Weight change had no bearing on performance in the 12-hour race, whereas weight loss was positively associated with performance in the 24-hour race.Our findings demonstrate that the majority of weight decrease/dehydration in both the 12- and 24-hour races occurred during the first 8 hours. Hence, to maintain body weight, fluid intake should be optimized in the first 8 hours for both 12- and 24-hour runners and in 16 to 20 hours for 24-hour marathon runners.

Bajiaolian (Dysosma pleianthum), a species in the Mayapple family (Podophyllum pelatum), has been widely used as a traditional Chinese herbal medication for the remedies of snake bite, tumor growth, post-partum recovery, and acne. It has also been used in western medicine, especially topically for various skin lesions. Both oral ingestion and dermal application may result in severe toxicity. The clinical presentations reported after Bajiaolian poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, paralytic ileus, urinary retention, hepatorenal dysfunction, leukocytosis followed by leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, prolonged areflexia, prolonged paraethesia and sensory ataxia, dizziness, fever, memory impairment, hallucinations, paranoia, convulsion, fainting, and coma. There are no previous reports in the literature about the cessation of nail growth as a clinical presentation following Bajiaolian poisoning. We present a case of nail growth that was halted for more than seven years after a single case of Bajiaolian poisoning.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of patients of unexpected cardiac arrest initially resuscitated by first responders with dissimilar experiences under the support of cardiac arrest team (CAT). Methods: All unexpected cardiac arrest patients receiving in-hospital resuscitation with the activation of CAT in a tertiary-care teaching hospital over a 12-month period were recorded according to the Utstein criteria. We prospectively recorded various factors at resuscitation and retrospectively evaluated the outcome. Outcome measures included return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival longer than 24 hours, and survival to discharge. Results: Altogether, 76 emergency calls were registered, and among these, 44 calls (58%) were cardiac arrests, including 8 ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, 15 pulseless electrical activity, and 21 asystole. The rate of ROSC was 61%, the rate of survival longer than 24 hours was 37%, and the rate of survival to discharge was 18%. The response time of our CAT was 271 seconds (4 minutes and 31 seconds) on average. The patients who collapsed in the wards experienced in resuscitation effort received higher rates of appropriate basic and advanced cardiac life support interventions before CAT arrival (79% vs. 44%; p = 0.019), had an increased chance of ROSC (75% vs. 38%; p = 0.014), survival longer than 24 hours (54% vs. 13%; p = 0.007), and survival to discharge (29% vs. 0%; p = 0.036). Conclusion: Hospital wards with more than 5 cardiac arrests per year have a better patient survival rate than those with fewer arrests. This is despite all ward staff receiving the same level of training. [J Chin Med Assoc 2007;70(9):385–391]

Erycibe henryi Prain ("Ting Kung Teng"), a species of Convolvulaceae, has been used in Chinese medicine to relieve pain involving the musculoskeletal system, such as arthritis, sciatica, and traumatic tissue swelling. E. henryi can be mistaken for another herbal plant, Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, used to treat gouty arthritis. We report here three cases of E. henryi poisoning. All three cases presented with vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, diaphoresis, lacrimation, and rhinorrhea; two patients also had miosis, hypothermia, bradycardia, hypotension, and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Laboratory abnormalities included leucocytosis, hyperglycemia, hyperamylasemia, hypocalcemia, and transiently elevated liver enzymes, creatinine and creatinine phosphokinase. The active constituents of E. henryi include several tropane alkaloids, which exhibit cholinergic activities. Gastrointestinal disturbances and ventricular tachyarrhythmias may occur with ingestion of either E. henryi or T. wilfordii, but the cholinergic symptoms can help to differentiate them.

Background The immediate and long-term impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak on emergency department (ED) visits and hospital expenditures for these visits has not been thoroughly investigated. The objectives of this retrospective observational study investigated the impact of SARS outbreak on ED visits and the cost of these visits in a designated SARS medical center. Methods Data related to the total number of ED visits and their costs were collected for the SARS epidemic period in 2003 and the same period in the preceding year in 2002. Data collected included total number of ED visits, services provided, triage categories, and total expenditures for all patients. Data for before and during the outbreak were retrieved and compared. Results At the peak of the SARS epidemic, the reduction in daily ED visits reached 51.6% of pre-epidemic numbers (p < 0.01). In pediatric, trauma and non-trauma patients, the maximum mean decreases in number of visits were 80.0% (p < 0.01), 57.6% (p < 0.01) and 40.8% (p < 0.01), respectively. In triage 1, 2 and 3 patients, the maximum mean decreases were 18.1% (p < 0.01), 55.9% (p < 0.01) and 53.7% (p < 0.01), respectively. The maximum decrease in total costs was 37.7% (p < 0.01). The maximum mean costs per patient increased 35.9% (p < 0.01). The proportions of increases in mean costs for each patient were attributed to laboratory investigations (31.4%), radiography (21.9%) and medications (29.5%). Conclusion The SARS outbreak resulted in a marked reduction in the number of ED visits which persisted for 3 months after the end of the epidemic. Total cost of treating individual patients showed a simultaneous marked increase, while overall operational costs in the ED showed a marked decrease. The increased total cost for each patient was attributed to the increased number of diagnostic procedures to screen for possible SARS in the ED.

Abdominal pain is one of the most common chief complaints of patients presenting to the emergency department and, among the diagnoses of abdominal pain, appendicitis is the most common surgical disorder. Traditionally, the diagnosis of appendicitis is based on well-established clinical criteria combined with physician experience. However, appendicitis presenting with rare and misleading left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain may result in an initial false-negative diagnosis by the physician and even result in failure to order the subsidiary examination of computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound, so increasing the risk of perforation/abscess formation and prolonged hospital stay. In this report, we present 2 cases of atypical appendicitis with LLQ pain where the correct diagnosis was not initially considered. One patient had right-sided appendicitis; the inflamed appendix was 12 cm in length and projected into the LLQ. Local peritonitis developed during observation. With the aid of CT, the diagnosis was established in time. The other patient had left-sided appendicitis with situs inversus totalis. Adverse outcomes with appendiceal rupture and abscess formation occurred due to inadvertent physical examinations and inadequate observation. Early clinical suspicion and adequate observation are indicated in patients with uncertain clinical features. However, in patients with unresolved clinical symptoms and/or local peritonitis that develop during observation, imaging studies play a significant role in preoperative diagnosis and determination of proper treatment.

Summary Positron emission tomography (PET) allows examination of a variety of physiological parameter, including blood flow, glucose, amino acid and oxygen metabolism. However, correlation of PET scan findings and the degree of malignancy of intracerebral tumors continues to be controversial. Nine patients with primarily diagnosed intraparenchymal brain tumors were included in this study. We performed 11 C-methionine-PET (met-PET) prior to surgical treatment and the differential absorption ratio (DAR) was calculated. All patients underwent open or stereotactic surgery and specimens for pathological diagnosis were obtained. The biological activity of each tumor was determined by calculation of the proliferation index from MIB-1 immunohistochemistry. The DAR of met-PET for individual tumors correlated with the histological diagnosis and degree of malignancy and this was further confirmed by good correlation with the MIB-1 proliferation index. We conclude that met-PET may be a reliable and effective preoperative evaluation to determine the type and malignancy of intraparenchymal brain lesions.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine the initial clinical characteristics of acute mesenteric ischemia and identify variables associated with adverse outcomes in the emergency department (ED).MethodsThe charts of 124 consecutive patients with surgically and pathologically identified acute mesenteric ischemia from September 1990 to September 2000 were reviewed retrospectively to obtain data about demographics, initial clinical presentations, predisposing diseases, previous medications, laboratory tests, and common findings on computed tomography scans with contrast. Only patients admitted through the ED and treated on medical or surgical wards were enrolled.ResultsMean patient age was 71.1 years (range, 25-100 years). The overall mortality rate was 50%. There were no significant differences in gender, underlying disease, previous medication, initial signs and symptoms, and causes of mesenteric infarction, between survivors and non-survivors. Univariate analysis demonstrated that older age, bandemia, hepatic and renal impairment, hyperamylasemia, metabolic acidosis, hypoxia, intramural pneumatosis, and septic syndrome, were more frequent in patients who died than in those who survived (p < 0.05). Logistic regression identified the following variables as independent predictors of death: old age (odds ratio, OR, 1.077; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.013, 1.146; p = 0.02); bandemia (OR, 3.894; 95% CI, 1.160, 13.074; p = 0.03); elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST; OR, 4.532; 95% CI, 1.274, 16.122; p = 0.02); increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN; OR, 7.219; 95% CI, 1.166, 44.696; p = 0.03); and metabolic acidosis (OR, 6.604; 95% CI, 1.804, 24.171; p < 0.01).ConclusionA high index of suspicion and aggressive diagnostic imaging can facilitate early diagnosis and improve outcomes for patients with acute mesenteric ischemia. Risk stratification showed that elderly patients with metabolic acidosis, bandemia, or elevated AST and BUN had a poor prognosis. Greater therapeutic intervention is advocated to reduce mortality in high-risk patients with acute mesenteric ischemia.

Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon with widespread industrial use as an organic solvent. As a result of the euphoric effect and availability of these substances, inhalation of toluene-based products is popular among young adults and children. Chronic or acute exposure is known to cause acid–base and electrolyte disorders, and to be toxic to the nervous and hematopoietic systems. We report a 38-year-old man who suffered from general muscular weakness of all extremities after toluene sniffing, which was complicated with hypokalemic paralysis, atrioventricular conduction abnormality, and normal anion gap hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Renal function, serum potassium and acid–base status normalized within 3 days after aggressive potassium chloride and intravenous fluid replacement. Electrocardiography showed regression of first-degree atrioventricular block. Exposure to toluene can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden sniffing death syndrome. Tachyarrhythmia is the classical manifestation of toluene cardiotoxicity. Atrioventricular conduction abnormalities have been rarely mentioned in the literature. Knowledge of the toxicology and medical complications associated with toluene sniffing is essential for clinical management of these patients.

The femoral vein is the most popular location for temporary catheterization during emergency hemodialysis. Common complications are infection, thrombosis, arterial puncture, and groin hematoma. We report herein a patient with femoral vein perforation and prevesical hematoma.

Acute chest pain can indicate a life-threatening condition and it is important for physicians to diagnose and treat it as a matter of urgency. We report 1 rare case of esophageal intramural hematoma (IMH) that presented with chest pain at the emergency department and which was initially clinically suspected to be due to aortic dissection. The case was diagnosed preoperatively by multidetector computed tomography. Esophageal IMH may represent an intermediate stage between Mallory-Weiss tear (mucosal) and Boerhaave's syndrome (transmural). Multidetector computed tomography is a useful noninvasive imaging modality for accurate diagnosis of these spontaneous intramural and transmural ruptures of the esophagus, and aids in the differential diagnosis of aortic and other mediastinal diseases with acute chest pain.

Aim To identify the potential prognostic factors for mortality after falls from height. Method A retrospective clinical observational study included victims of fall of >6 m from October 2000 to December 2007. Variables studied comprised each casualty's age, gender, height of fall, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, Abbreviated Injury Scale scores, Injury Severity Score, heart rate, Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), White Blood Cell (WBC) count, haemoglobin, serum glucose, Creatine Kinase and duration of hospital stay. The relationships between these variables and outcomes were evaluated. Results Among the 66 patients studied the mortality rate was 22.7%, i.e. 7 out-of-hospital and 8 in-hospital deaths. In univariate analysis, Glasgow Coma Score ≤14, Injury Severity Score ≥16, head/neck Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥4, chest Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥4, heart rate ≥100 or ≤50 beats/min, Mean Arterial Pressure ≤60 and serum glucose ≥140 mg/dl were significantly related to mortality. In multivariate analysis, head/neck Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥4 was independently correlated with mortality. Conclusions Severe head injury (head/neck Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥4) is a significant factor for mortality following falls from >6 m.

Snake envenoming in pregnancy may cause fetal death and maternal mortality or morbidity. However little is known about the toxic effects and optimal management of snake envenoming because of the rarity of cases. We report three cases in Taiwan in the past 15 years of pregnant women who were treated successfully after being bitten by Trimeresurus stejnegeri with local envenoming. Two of the three patients received treatment with equine-derived hemotoxic bivalent F(ab)/2 antivenom without development of any adverse effects. All three women recovered uneventfully and subsequently had normal deliveries. Telephone follow-up of the three children 6-10 years later showed no developmental delay of the children. (authors)

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage is a common presentation to an emergency department. Often, the diagnosis is peptic ulcer disease in which vague or sharp abdominal pain is associated with bleeding. In contrast, intussusception is a rare cause of abdominal pain and coincident GI bleeding. In this case, we report a 41-year-old woman who had an intussuscepting jejunal obstruction due to a hamartoma of the small bowel. The diagnosis was established by ultrasonography. In review of the literature, abdominal pain and bleeding are two common manifestations of intussusception when the lesion originates in the small bowel. Intussusception is frequently included in the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients with coincident abdominal pain and bleeding. However, it is rarely mentioned as an adult cause of these two findings. Because of the delayed and nonspecific presentations of abdominal discomfort in adult patients with intussusception, the diagnosis is often delayed. This case points out the need for considering intussusception even in middle-aged patients whose initial presentation is concomitant bleeding and pain.

THIRTY-TWO PATIENTS WHO underwent atlantoaxial arthrodesis using Halifax interlaminar clamps and halo vests between January 1989 and December 1992 were reviewed. The atlantoaxial instabilities were related to trauma in 16 patients, including 14 patients with unstable odontoid fractures, 1 patient with a complex C2 fracture, and 1 patient with a disrupted transverse ligament. Of the other 16 patients, whose atlantoaxial instabilities were nontraumatic in origin, 9 had instabilities that were secondary to rheumatoid arthritis, 1 had instability that was secondary to tuberculous infection, and 6 had instabilities that were caused by os odontoideum. The patients were followed postoperatively with lateral cervical radiographs for an average of 37 months (range, 16-59 mo). Solid atlantoaxial arthrodeses were achieved in all (100%) of these 32 patients after 32 to 111 days (average, 84.5 d) of halo immobilization, indicating atlantoaxial arthrodeses can be reasonably anticipated when Halifax interlaminar clamps with autogenous iliac bone grafting are reinforced by halo vest immobilization for 3 months. (Neurosurgery

The objective was to explore the incidence, predictors, and prognostic significance of emergency department (ED) neurologic deterioration in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH). This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at the ED, neurocritical care unit, and general intensive care unit of a university-affiliated medical center. Consecutive adult SICH patients treated in our ED from January 2002 through December 2009 were included, identified from the registered stroke data bank. These were cross-checked for coding with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification 431 and 432.9. Enrolled patients had SICH with elapsed times of12 hours and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores ≥ 13 on arrival. ED neurologic deterioration was defined as having a two-or-more-point decrease in consciousness noted in any GCS score assessment between ED presentation and admission. Comparisons of numerical data were performed using an unpaired t-test (parametric data) or Mann-Whitney U-test (nonparametric data). Comparisons of categorical data were done by chi-square tests. Variables with p0.1 in univariate analysis were further analyzed using multiple logistic regression. No variable automated or manual selection methods were used. Among the 619 patients with SICH included in the study, 22.6% had ED neurologic deterioration. Independent predictors for ED neurologic deterioration included regular antiplatelet use, ictus to ED arrival time under 3 hours, initial body temperature ≥ 37.5°C, intraparenchymal hemorrhage associated with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and presence of a midline shift of greater than 2 mm on computed tomography (CT). ED neurologic deterioration was associated with 1-week mortality, 30-day mortality, and poor neurologic outcome on discharge. Nearly one-quarter of SICH patients with an initial GCS of 13 to 15 had a two points or more deterioration of their GCS while in the ED. ED neurologic deterioration was associated with death and poor neurologic outcomes on discharge. Several risk factors that are available early in the patients' courses appear to be associated with ED neurologic deterioration. By identifying patients at risk for early neurologic decline and intervening early, physicians may be able to improve patient outcomes.

Most patients with Cushing's disease (CD) respond to corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) or desmopressin with increased corticotrophin (ACTH) and cortisol levels. Although the vasopressin receptor subtype located on normal corticotrophs is the V3 receptor (V3R), desmopressin is a selective V2 receptor (V2R) agonist and it is unclear whether corticotrophinomas exhibit aberrant V2R expression. Furthermore, no studies have determined the relationship between the in vivo response of CD patients to desmopressin and vasopressin receptor expression, or between the response to CRH and CRH receptor (CRHR) expression. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of vasopressin receptors (V1R, V2R, and V3R) and CRHR on corticotroph tumours and its possible relation to the in vivo response.A prospective study of 29 patients with CD.Patients underwent desmopressin and CRH stimulation tests before surgery. The expression of vasopressin receptors and CRHR on corticotrophinomas was determined by immunocytochemistry.Most of the corticotrophinomas exhibited abundant expression of V1R, V3R, and CRHR, whereas the expression of V2R varied greatly and was lower in macroadenomas than in microadenomas. Both the percentage increment of ACTH and net area under the curve (AUC) of ACTH in the desmopressin stimulation test were found to be correlated with tumour volume. After adjustment for tumour volume, a positive correlation was found between the percentage increment of ACTH and the degree of V2R expression, but not between that of V1R or V3R. No relationship between the level of expression of CRHR on tumour tissues and the percentage increment or netAUC of ACTH to CRH was observed in CD patients.We concluded that V2R was expressed on corticotrophinomas and that the level of its expression correlated well with the ACTH response to desmopressin in CD patients, although abundant expression of V1R and V3R was also found in almost all corticotroph tumours. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of these receptors in the pathogenesis of CD.

Rhabdophis tigrinus is a common colubrid snake that can be found in an extensive geographical region in East Asia. It consists of two subspecies: R.t. tigrinus (yamakagashi) and R.t. formosanus (Taiwan tiger keelback). R. tigrinus possesses two different sets of poisonous glands: the Duvernoy's glands in the maxilla, and the nuchal glands in the dorsal skin of the neck. We report the first case in current English literature of toxin ophthalmia caused by the nuchal gland secretion of R.t. formosanus. The patient was a 40-year-old man whose right eye was sprayed by the nuchal gland fluid of R.t. formosanus. He presented with symptoms of foreign body sensation, progressive burning pain, and blurred vision. Ophthalmologic examination revealed diffuse superficial punctate keratitis, corneal stromal edema with Descemet folds, and conjunctival congestion. The patient responded well to topical treatment with a corticosteroid, antihistamine, and antibiotic, and had a favorable clinical course and outcome.

To determine the change and relationship of spectral components of heart rate variability (HRV) measurements in subjects with or without acute mountain sickness (AMS) at both low and high altitude.A prospective study.A 12-day itinerary by trekking to the Namche Bazaar, 3440 m in Nepal.A total of 32 subjects were recruited.The alternations were measured by heart rate (HR), arterial oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), and spectral analysis of HRV at sea level, 1317 m, 3440 m, 1317 m, and sea level, respectively.Spectral analysis of HRV.There were statistically significant increases in HR and decreases in SpO(2) in all subjects at high altitude. In HRV, the values of R-R interval, total variance, high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), and HF% were significantly lower at 3440 m than at sea level, respectively (P0.05). The subjects with AMS had significantly lower total variance, HF, and HF%, respectively, but higher LF:HF ratio (P0.05) at 3440 m. Subjects with both HF%20% (nu) and LF:HF ratio1.3 measured at 1317 m had odds ratios of 7.00 (95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 44.06; P = 0.047) to get AMS at 3440 m.The HRV measurements in total variances, HF, and HF% in trekkers with AMS were statistically significantly lower at high altitude. HF%20% (nu) or LF:HF ratio1.3 at lower altitudes could be an important predication parameter of trekkers with AMS at higher altitudes.

To examine the protective effects of a lazaroid, 21-aminosteroid U-74389G, in a rat septic shock model. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 60) aged 6–8 months. Groups were exposed to 500 cGy radiation followed by E. coli inoculation, and either placebo or lazaroid injection (10 mg/kg intraperitoneal) 5 days after irradiation. Hemodynamic measurements, arterial blood gases, serum lactate, total antioxidative capacity, and cytokine levels were measured at specific time intervals. Treatment with the lazaroid U-74389G maintained cardiac output and mean aortic pressure. Lazaroid treatment also prevented the increase in serum lactate seen in placebo-treated rats. Cytokine serum levels in lazaroid-treated rats were not significantly different from those in placebo-treated rats at any time point. Lazaroid treatment of E. coli-inoculated septic animals lessens the hemodynamic deterioration seen in sepsis.

Objectives The aims of this study were to assess the diagnostic value of d-dimer in patients with suspected acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) and to evaluate the correlation between d-dimer levels and the severity of bowel necrosis. Methods A prospective, noninterventional study of 67 patients with clinical suspicion of AMI was performed. Measurement of d-dimer levels was performed using a latex turbidimetric method. Results Acute mesenteric ischemia was diagnosed in 23 patients (34.3%) and non-AMI in 44 patients (65.7%). Median d-dimer levels on admission were 6.24 μ g fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU)/mL (range, 0.96-53.48 μ g FEU/mL) in patients with AMI and 3.45 μ g FEU/mL (range, 0.50-44.69 μ g FEU/mL) in non-AMI patients ( P = .064). d-Dimer had poor discriminative value to differentiate the presence from the absence of AMI with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.64 (95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.78). A serum d-dimer cutoff value of 1.0 μ g FEU/mL had a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 18%, a positive likelihood ratio of 1.17, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.24. Among patients with AMI verified at operation, 8 had resectable bowl necrosis and 9 had unresectable bowel necrosis. There was no difference in serum d-dimer levels between resectable and unresectable bowel necrosis ( P = .665). Conclusions Detection of serum d-dimer could not help to differentiate patient with AMI from those with non-AMI. We did not find a correlation between serum d-dimer levels and the severity of AMI. However, measurement of d-dimer levels can be of value for a small decrease in the likelihood of AMI, when the result is low.

Objective To understand the urination pattern and to determine the relationships between urine output and performance of ultramarathon runners. Design Prospective observational study. Setting The 2005 Soochow University international ultramarathon, in which each athlete ran for 12 hours. Participants All entrants in the 12-hour race were invited to participate in the study. Interventions None. Main outcome measures Athletes were weighed immediately before and after the race. Urine samples were collected during the race and immediately after the race. Results There was a trend toward better performance of the group with less urination (LU), although the difference was not statistically significant. Further analysis of hourly running distances between groups showed better performance in the group with LU during the first 11 hours of the competition. Comparison of athletes in 3 levels of running distance (tertiles) showed statistically significant differences between groups in total urine output. The fastest tertile had lower prerace body weight and greater body weight change than the slowest and intermediate tertiles, but the differences were not statistically significant. Linear regression analysis using the stepwise method showed that total urine output and prerace body weight were negatively associated with performance. Conclusions Runners with LU had better performance during the first 11 hours of the competition. Linear regression analysis showed that total urine output and prerace body weight were negatively associated with performance.

Objective The aims of the study were to evaluate the incidence of newly diagnosed primary overt hypothyroidism among adults admitted through the emergency department (ED) and to assess how previously undiagnosed hypothyroidism presents. Methods From July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2006, 56 adult patients were enrolled for further analysis. Results The incidence of newly diagnosed primary overt hypothyroidism among adults admitted through the ED is 0.1%. The mean age of the patients was 75.8 ± 12.8 years (range, 27-98 years). Most of our patients presented in the winter. Individual symptoms and signs were not sensitive. Drugs (13 patients, 23%), nongoitrogenous autoimmune thyroiditis (12 patients, 21%), and previous surgery or irradiation related (11 patients, 20%) are frequent causes of unrecognized hypothyroidism in this iodine-replete region. Only 21% of patients were admitted with a correct initial impression. Half of myxedema coma patients were missed during the initial ED stay. Thirty-three patients (59%) had cardiomegaly on chest x-ray receiving further echocardiography examination. Pericardial effusion was found in 18 patients. Of these, 7 patients had moderate to large pericardial effusion, but none had cardiac tamponade. Only 6 patients have depressed left ventricular ejection fraction ( Conclusions The diagnosis of hypothyroidism is often missed during the ED evaluation of patients at risk for this uncommon disease. Hypothyroidism should always be considered in patients who present with nonspecific symptoms suggestive of the disease, including weakness, cold intolerance, and alterations in mental status, and receive drugs impairing thyroid function or treatment of advanced head and neck cancer. In addition, patients with stable chronic heart failure or unexplained pericardial effusion warrant serum thyroid testing.

The purpose of our study was to explore the effect of the physician's training level on the emergency management of common illnesses in the pediatric emergency department (ED). Our hypothesis was that physicians in training used more resources than attending physicians did in caring for pediatric patients in the ED.We retrospectively reviewed all records of patients younger than 18 years who presented to the pediatric section in ED of Taipei Veterans General Hospital between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2005. The cohort study was composed of patients treated by a pediatric attending physician (group 1) or treated by a resident (group 2). We collected their demographic data, diagnoses, admission and revisiting rates, direct costs (including radiographic, laboratory, and medication costs per visit), and utilization data.Admission and 72-hour revisiting rates did not differ between groups. Lengths of ED stay and total, radiographic, and medication costs significantly increased with the residents (all P0.001). Residents ordered more radiographic (30.7% vs 23.8%, P0.001) and laboratory (37.2% vs 34.6%, P = 0.13) studies than attending physicians did, notably when patients had acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis or noninfectious gastroenteritis and colitis. Residents also ordered more laboratory studies in cases of pneumonia.Residents treating pediatric patients in the ED spent more time and used more medical resources than attending physicians did. An important educational objective is to improve physicians' diagnostic skills to reduce resource utilization and to improve outcomes.

Patients with both spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and subdural hematomas (SDH) are frequently undiagnosed. SIH may recur very often over a short interval or result in disastrous consequences if only the SDH is dealt with. We report a young adult with severe posterior nuchal pain; brain computed tomography showed bilateral SDH. He was discharged smoothly without any neurologic deficit after epidural blood patches were applied after proper and timely diagnosis. Patients with SIH complicated by SDH should not be overlooked. When patients complain of typical orthostatic headache without any history of trauma, SIH should be highly suspected. The therapeutic strategy for this type of SDH is different from those without SIH. We review the literature on the disease.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivities of the reported free air signs on supine chest and abdominal radiographs of hollow organ perforation. We also verified the value of supine radiographic images as compared with erect chest and decubitus abdominal radiographs in detection of pneumoperitoneum. Methods: Two hundred fifty cases with surgically proven hollow organ perforation were included. Five hundred twenty-seven radiographs were retrospectively reviewed on the picture archiving and communication system. Medical charts were reviewed for operative findings of upper gastrointestinal tract, small bowel, or colon perforations. The variable free air signs on both supine abdominal radiographs (KUB) and supine chest radiographs (CXR) were evaluated and determined by consensus without knowledge of initial radiographic reports or final diagnosis. Erect CXR and left decubitus abdominal radiographs were evaluated for subphrenic free air or air over nondependent part of the right abdomen. Result: Upper gastrointestinal tract perforation was proven in 91.2%; small bowel perforation, in 6.8%; and colon perforation, in 2.0%. The positive rate of free air was 80.4% on supine KUB, 78.7% on supine CXR, 85.1% on erect CXR, and 98.0% on left decubitus abdominal radiograph. Anterior superior oval sign was the most common radiographic sign on supine KUB (44.0%) and supine CXR (34.0%). Other free air signs ranged from 0% to 30.4%. Conclusions: Most free air signs on supine radiographs are located over the right upper abdomen. Familiarity with free air signs on supine radiographs is very important to emergency physicians and radiologists for detection of hollow organ perforation.

Fourteen adults and 4 children with cystic craniopharyngiomas were treated with stereotactic beta-irradiation during a 6-year period. Of these patients, 10 were primary cases, and 8 were recurrences after previous major surgery. Radioactive phosphorus (32P) or yttrium (90Y) in colloidal forms were used as the radiation agents. Cyst volumes (10-130 ml) were assessed intraoperatively by the 99Tc radiodilution method. According to our treatment program, the radiation dose to the cyst wall was 20,000 rad and the total irradiation time 2 weeks. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 6 years, with an average of 3.8 years. Postoperative shrinkage of the cysts and clinical improvement were observed in most patients. Pertinent clinical data and results of treatment are described.

Background: The differential diagnosis of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-dependent Cushing’s syndrome (CS) remains a challenging issue for clinical endocrinologists. In this respect, bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) appears to be the most sensitive and specific test. Here, we report our 15-year experience of analyzing the performance of BIPSS, both in the correct diagnosis and in the precise lateralization of tumors in patients with Cushing’s disease (CD). Methods: Between 1992 and 2006, 18 patients with CD (16 females, 2 males; age range, 14–56 years) were admitted to Taipei Veterans General Hospital and subjected to BIPSS plus ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (oCRH) stimulation. Four of them had previously undergone transsphenoidal hypophysectomy (TSH) and had a recurrence thereafter. BIPSS was performed by inserting a catheter in the right and left inferior petrosal sinus for ACTH assay via a femoral vein puncture. An inferior petrosal sinus/peripheral ACTH ratio (C/P ratio) ≥ 2 at baseline or ≥ 3 after oCRH injection indicated a pituitary origin of ACTH secretion, and an interpetrosal ACTH gradient (IPS ratio) ≥ 1.4 at baseline or after oCRH indicated evidence of lateralization. Results: Positive BIPSS results were found in 16 patients at baseline and in 17 patients after oCRH injection. In 17 out of 18 patients, TSH was subsequently carried out and a pituitary source was confirmed on histopathologic examination. The only 1 false-negative test result was noted in a patient who had undergone previous TSH. Thus, the sensitivities of BIPSS for the diagnosis of CD before and after oCRH stimulation were 89% and 94%, respectively. Moreover, using an IPS ratio ≥ 1.4 as a criterion, BIPSS correctly lateralized the tumor in 9 of 17 and 10 of 17 patients at baseline and after oCRH stimulation, respectively, including in 2 patients who had a centrally located tumor and who had an IPS ratio < 1.4. Thus, the sensitivities of lateralization of BIPSS were 53% and 59%, respectively. None of the 4 patients who had previous TSH were precisely localized by BIPSS. If these 4 patients were excluded, the sensitivities of BIPSS for localizing in the patients who had not undergone previous operation increased to 70% (9/13) at baseline and 77% (10/13) after oCRH stimulation, respectively. Conclusion: BIPSS combined with oCRH stimulation is a safe and reliable examination both in the differential diagnosis of CD and in the correct lateralization of pituitary microadenoma in patients without previous pituitary surgery. Nevertheless, this procedure may provide misleading results in patients who have received previous pituitary surgery. [J Chin Med Assoc 2007;70(1):4–10]

Objective The objective of the study was to investigate initial clinical characteristics that can suggest an early diagnosis of patients with acute renal infarction presenting with flank and/or abdominal pain in the emergency department (ED). Methods From January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2005, 20 adult patients with renal infarction diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography in the ED were enrolled. Medical records, including demographic data, risk factors for thromboembolism, initial clinical presentations, laboratory data, treatment programs and outcomes, were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Results Mean patient age was 60.3 years (range, 21-80). The estimated incidence of renal infarction was 0.004% (20 of 481 540) among the ED census. The median time of onset of symptoms before the ED visit was 31 hours (range, 1-285). Eighteen patients (90%) had a history of more than 1 risk factor for thromboembolic events. In clinical presentations, all the patients had either abdominal or flank pain and tenderness. Nineteen patients (95%) had an elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase level with a mean ± SD of 812.1 ± 569.4 U/L. Sixteen patients (80%) presented with the triad—persisting flank or abdominal pain/tenderness, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase level, and proteinuria. Among all 20 patients, 10 patients (50%) were diagnosed as having renal infarction at the initial ED visit. No specific clinical characteristics could be identified to distinguish those patients diagnosed early and those with delayed diagnosis. All 20 patients received medical treatment with coumadin, which was given in combination with heparin treatment in 11, peripheral intravenous and/or local intra-arterial thrombolytics with urokinase in 5, and mitral valve replacement in 1. No patient died. Although 4 patients had a mildly elevated serum creatinine level (>1.5 mg/dL) during hospitalization, none of them needs dialysis after more than 1 year of follow-up. Conclusions In this study, we delineated specifically clinical features for emergency physicians to raise their suspicion index for an early diagnosis of patients with renal infarction, a disease which is uncommon and is usually delayed or missed at initial ED presentation.

A press through package (PTP) is commonly used as a package for drugs and also being seen increasingly in cases of foreign body in the digestive tract. We presented three cases of inadvertent PTP ingestion with a variety of clinical presentations. Although commonly considered to be small and soft to cause bowel damage, a PTP tends to be caught and poses potential risk for perforation of the bowel because of its sharp edges. The PTP material is thought to be difficult to detect on plain abdominal roentgenography due to its radiolucency. However, air trapped in the PTP makes the drug tablet possibly visible on the radiograph. All of the three cases were diagnosed with correct interpretation of these special radiographic findings, even without the recall of accidental swallowing of the tablet. A PTP in the oesophagus and stomach should be tried to be removed, while computerised tomography and early laparotomy should be considered when it passes through the pyloric ring and the patient develops symptoms. An effort to prevent the PTP swallowing should be an essential part in our everyday practice, especially for the elderly patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of complete resection and postoperative radiotherapy in spinal cord ependymomas. Methods and materials: We conducted a retrospective study over 20 patients (13 males and 7 females) with histologically confirmed spinal cord ependymomas between July 1985 and April 2001. Among them, 13 patients had ependymomas, 6 had myxopapillary ependymomas, and 1 had anaplastic ependymoma. All patients received radical surgery for tumor removal with 13 patients achieving complete resection and 7 incomplete resection due to technical difficulty. Among those with incomplete resection, 6 patients received postoperative radiotherapy to tumor bed and only one patient with anaplastic ependymoma received surgery alone. The total tumor dose ranged from 50 to 60 Gy. Results: Among the 20 patients, 19 patients were alive and showed local control. The median survival time of all patients was 109 months, with 104 months in the complete resection alone group and 135 months in the incomplete resection with postoperative radiotherapy group. One patient with anaplastic ependymoma and no postoperative radiotherapy developed leptomeningeal seeding 9 months after surgery. Salvage therapy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy maintained normal neurological functions. The patient expired 34 months from the initial diagnosis due to progression of leptomeningeal seeding. Conclusion: Complete resection alone in spinal cord ependymoma can achieve excellent local control and survival. Patients should receive complete resection if technically possible. Postoperative radiotherapy is not recommended for complete resection. For incomplete resection, postoperative local radiotherapy is recommended and it can also achieve excellent local control and survival. Local radiotherapy with 50-60 Gy is effective and safe. Salvage radiotherapy improves quality of life for local recurrence or leptomeningeal seeding patients.

Clinical cases of renal infarction are rarely seen and often either misdiagnosed or initially treated as something else. In most circumstances, renal infarctions are discovered accidentally, not due to a consideration of the diagnosis. A review of the literature reveals that we ought to search for the entity in patients with risk factors such as atrial fibrillation, infarction history or potential, mitral stenosis, infective endocarditis, atrial or ventricular septal defect, hypertension and ischemic heart diseases. In addition, the rise of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) in serum and the presence of hematuria serves as a good indicator of the malady. We present two cases we encountered early this year in our Emergency Department. In both cases, white blood cell count and LDH showed significant increases, but there was no hematuria present. Both were successfully treated with LMWH (low-molecular-weight heparin). Upon discharge, both patients regained normal renal function.

Massive pericardial effusions secondary to hypothyroidism are rarely seen in the emergency department (ED). The case of a patient presenting with a relatively asymptomatic massive pericardial effusion due to hypothyroidism is described. The patient had a history of laryngeal carcinoma post-total laryngectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy 12 years previous. Although underlying malignancy was in the differential diagnosis, hypothyroidism was diagnosed through a detailed history and physical examination, thereby avoiding the need for pericardiocentesis. Thyroid replacement alone is sufficient for resolution of these effusions, although it may take many months. Pericardiocentesis is indicated only if cardiac tamponade develops. This rare but significant condition should be considered, especially when it occurs after acute cold exposure.

In blunt multiple trauma (MT) with head injury (HI) patients, it is difficult to decide whether to proceed with immediate laparotomy or craniotomy. In August 1989, abdominal ultrasonography (US) using a simple US scoring system was introduced for MT and HI patients as an initial rapid screening procedure. In MT and HI patients with a US score > or = 3 (n = 14), urgent laparotomy was the procedure of first choice. However, immediate head CT scan, then emergency craniotomy, may be justified in hemodynamically stable MT and HI patients with a US score < 3 (n = 98). Appropriate decision making can be applied to decide which procedure is most exigent.