1/3. Acute airway compromise after brief exposure to a Dieffenbachia plant.Dieffenbachia is a common domestic plant. Oral contact with the plant usually is associated with minimal consequences. However, chewing on the stem or the leaf of the Dieffenbachia can result in painful oropharyngeal edema and the inability to speak or handle secretions. Airway compromise has been reported only in a pediatric ingestion. We report a case of an adult who bit into the stem of the plant thinking it was sugar cane. He instantly spit out the remaining stem and despite this brief exposure, oropharyngeal edema developed refractory to medicinal therapy, requiring surgical airway management. The exact mechanism of edema is not known; therefore, methods of treatment are variable. We recommend caution when presented with a patient exposed to Dieffenbachia. Even the patient who initially seems stable may have an airway that will quickly deteriorate.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = plant (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. psyllium-associated anaphylaxis and death: a case report and review of the literature.BACKGROUND: psyllium use has increased significantly in the united states in part due to its lipid-lowering property. The increased prevalence of consumption has led to its recognition as an emerging food allergen. OBJECTIVES: To report the case of a 42-year-old woman who experienced fatal anaphylaxis after ingesting a psyllium-based product and to review the literature. methods: The medline database was searched for articles from 1966 to 2002 using the keywords psyllium or ispaghula and each of the following: allergy, hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, and asthma. Both English and non-English articles were included. RESULTS: psyllium hypersensitivity has been well described in health care workers and pharmaceutical plant employees. Clinical manifestations of allergy range from upper respiratory tract symptoms on inhalation to anaphylaxis on ingestion. The prevalence of sensitization varies between these 2 groups. The allergenic epitope is not known. CONCLUSIONS: We present a case of psyllium hypersensitivity that resulted in death. There is a clear association between atopy and psyllium allergy. The case underscores the fact that even nonprescription "natural" products can be harmful to people with allergies.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.14285714285714keywords = plant (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. Screwdriver aspiration. A complication of dental implant placement.Endosseous implants are part of the prosthodontic rehabilitation of patients who have undergone radical tumor resection in the oral and maxillofacial area. Several complications arising from the use of these implants have been reported. Intraoperative aspiration of a screwdriver as a rare and life-threatening complication is presented. It was followed by a chain of further complications including pneumothorax, late laryngeal obstruction requiring tracheotomy, and pleural effusion requiring drainage. To prevent similar complications, we recommend general anesthesia when placing dental implants in patients who have previously undergone extended radical tumor surgery of the oral cavity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = plant (Clic here for more details about this article) |