1/46. hemiplegia hypoglycaemia syndrome.We report the case of a 83-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with hypoglycaemia resembling a cerebrovascular accident. Hypoglycaemic hemiparesis is an under-recognized manifestation of hypoglycaemia. If not recognized and treated promptly, hypoglycaemia may cause irreversible central nervous system injury; it rarely results in death. It is imperative that emergency physicians consider hypoglycaemia in all patients with coma in spite of focal neurological deficit even when the findings seem to be explained initially by other aetiologies.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/46. Primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma of the left atrium: an unusual presentation.rhabdomyosarcoma accounts for almost 20% of all primary malignant neoplasms of the heart. These tumors usually arise from the ventricular walls. In adult patients, they sometimes arise from the atrial walls and mimic atrioventricular valve stenosis. We describe a case of left atrial rhabdomyosarcoma that presented as severe mitral stenosis and required emergency surgery. The atrial mass was detected by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, but only histopathology confirmed the nature of the lesion. Although rhabdomyosarcomas of the heart are highly lethal, operation is indicated for emergency cases, in order to clarify the diagnosis, relieve symptoms, and improve short-term survival.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 7keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/46. Emergency stent-graft repair of a ruptured hepatic artery secondary to local postoperative peritonitis.PURPOSE: To describe the use of a stent-graft for emergent repair of life-threatening hepatic artery hemorrhage. methods AND RESULTS: A 57-year-old man with a 17-year history of myxoid liposarcoma underwent surgery for a recurrent abdominal mass. Multivisceral resection including a Kausch-Whipple procedure with an extended right hemicolectomy was performed. Three weeks later, an episode of gastrointestinal bleeding prompted surgical repair of the hepatic artery, which had been eroded by infection due to a leaking bilioenteric anastomosis. After 3 weeks of programmed abdominal lavage, bleeding recurred. angiography documented another rupture of the proximal hepatic artery. After an unsuccessful attempt at coil embolization, a Hemobahn stent-graft was implanted percutaneously during simultaneous cardiopulmonary resuscitation. hemostasis was secured, and the patient recovered. Over the 10-month follow-up, no bleeding or infection has been observed at the site of the repair, and flow through the hepatic artery endograft remains satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous stent-graft placement can be employed for emergent treatment of visceral artery rupture in patients at high risk for conventional surgical repair.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/46. Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB): an increasing trend in drug abuse.The use of recreational drugs in society is becoming a widespread problem increasing the workload of all the emergency services. Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is one of these, a drug used primarily for its euphoric effect. Toxic effects of ingestion include bradycardia, slow respiration or apnoea, coma and death. We present seven cases, all of which had consumed GHB either alone or in conjunction with other drugs and alcohol. The presentation, clinical features and management of these cases are described. All health care personnel involved in the emergency setting need to know of its existence, toxic effects and initial management with particular reference to airway control and possible assisted ventilation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/46. Management of unexplained coma in children.Coma in children is uncommon and can pose difficulties in diagnosis and management. Resuscitation should concentrate on management of the airway, breathing and circulation and on rapid exclusion of easily correctable conditions, e.g. hypoglycaemia. Common causes of coma are considered and the diagnostic evaluation of these children is discussed. A case of a toddler in coma is discussed from the perspective of the accident and emergency department to illustrate the management of these challenging but uncommon patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/46. emergency treatment of neonatal hyperammonaemic coma with mild systemic hypothermia.An infant aged 3 days presented with hyperammonaemic coma and seizures, which were found to be a result of a urea-cycle defect. Haemofiltration, alternative pathway metabolites, and glucose and insulin failed to lower the plasma ammonia concentration below 2000 micromol/L. The infant was then cooled to a rectal temperature of 34 degrees C for 48 h and put on haemofiltration for 12 h. plasma ammonia fell to around 100 micromol/L and remained at this concentration after haemofiltration. He roused from his coma, breathed spontaneously, and resumed bottle feeding. hypothermia may be therapeutic in such instances of metabolic coma because it lowers the enzymatic rate of production of the toxin while non-enzymatic methods remove the toxin.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 7keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/46. leiomyosarcoma of the larynx: emergency tracheostomy.leiomyosarcoma of the larynx is extremely rare. Histological diagnosis for excluding other tumours remains extremely difficult. A rare case of leiomyosarcoma of the larynx, treated by surgery and radiotherapy, is reported. We discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of leiomysarcoma with a review of the literature.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 7keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/46. Management of the moribund carbon monoxide victim.carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is the commonest single cause of fatal poisoning in the U.K. (Broome & Pearson, 1988). The clinical features are numerous and include headache, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, paraesthesia, chest pain, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhoea as well as coma, convulsions and death. Without adequate treatment many patients develop neuropsychiatric sequelae including headaches, irritability, memory loss, confusion and personality changes. The diagnosis of CO poisoning is often suggested only by circumstances surrounding the victim, and remains a challenge to the A&E department. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) is internationally accepted as the most powerful form of treatment in severe cases (Drug & therapeutics Bulletin, 1988; Lowe-Ponsford & Henry, 1989). However, in the U.K. treatment with HBO is often not considered due to lack of hyperbaric facilities (Meredith & Vale, 1988; Anand et al., 1988), and due to inadequate awareness on the part of hospital staff. We report a case of a patient deeply unconscious as a result of CO poisoning, in which serial treatments with HBO over a period of 14 days, produced dramatic results.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/46. Accidental hypothermia with cardiac arrest: recovery following rewarming by cardiopulmonary bypass.A 22-year-old man eventually had a good neurologic recovery following prolonged coma after extracorporeal rewarming from profound hypothermia (24 degrees C) due to exposure. The patient was in full arrest for 60 minutes prior to institution of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Total bypass time was 50 minutes. cardiopulmonary bypass is the current rewarming method of choice for severe hypothermia associated with a persistent nonperfusing cardiac rhythm. CPB provides the most rapid core rewarming with the additional benefit of circulatory support during the period of cardiac instability.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/46. Pleural liposarcoma presenting with respiratory distress and suspected diaphragmatic hernia.A young woman with a history of diaphragmatic hernia presented to the hospital in respiratory distress and in premature labor. Her admission chest roentgenogram showed opacification of the left hemithorax, and her arterial blood gas analysis revealed hypoxemia. Emergency cesarean section and exploratory left thoracotomy were carried out; a large tumor occupied the left side of the chest, and pneumonectomy was performed. No diaphragmatic hernia was present. A pathologic diagnosis of primary liposarcoma was made.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = coma (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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