The American journal of emergency medicine
-
Energy drinks are popular among young individuals and marketed to college students, athletes, and active individuals between the ages of 21 and 35 years. We report a case that had ischemic stroke and epileptic seizure after intake of energy drink with alcohol. To the best of our knowledge, the following case is the first report of ischemic stroke after intake of energy drink. ⋯ In cranial diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, there were hyperintense signal changes in bilateral occipital area (more pronounced in the left occipital lobe), right temporal lobe, frontal lobe, and posterior parietal lobe. All tests associated with possible etiologic causes of ischemic stroke in young patients were negative. Herein, we want to attract attention to adverse effect of energy drink usage.
-
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is widely accepted as a treatment for air or gas embolism, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, clostridial myonecrosis, crush injuries, and thermal burns. To the best of our knowledge, after HBO therapy, atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been reported in the literature yet. We herein describe a case of AF that occurred in a woman who had taken HBO therapy for CO poisoning. ⋯ After the HBO therapy, ECG showed AF. Her rhythm returned to the normal sinus rhythm after amiodarone treatment. Physicians should keep in mind that HBO treatment could contribute to AF, and all patients' ECG should be monitored before and after HBO therapy.
-
Early radiologic evaluations including noncontrast computed tomographic (CT) scan of the brain have been reported to be useful in the diagnosis and management of the intoxicated patients. Changes in the brain CT scan of the acute opium overdose patients have little been studied to date. This study aimed to evaluate changes of the brain CT scans in the acute opium overdose patients. ⋯ Abnormal brain CT findings are detected in about 20% of the acute opium overdose patients who are ill enough to warrant performance of the brain CT scan and associate with a poor prognosis in this group of the patients.
-
Mediastinal hematoma is an uncommon finding in blunt chest trauma. It may be caused by aortic injury, by mediastinal vascular injury such as aortic injury, and by fractures of the sternum and vertebral column. A huge mediastinal hematoma can result in extrapericardial cardiac tamponade by compressing the adjacent organs. ⋯ The subxiphoid view of FAST can easily miss a mediastinal hematoma. For trauma patients with probable mediastinal injuries, we suggest doing an extended FAST with parasternal long-axis view. Alternatively, one should consider lowering the threshold of thoracic computed tomographic scan in patients with persistent symptoms because a missed mediastinal hematoma could be insidious and fatal.