1/24. Permanent iatrogenic vocal cord paralysis after I-131 therapy: a case report and literature review.A patient who underwent I-131 therapy for a solitary toxic thyroid nodule subsequently experienced vocal cord paralysis, a rare complication. The patient was examined because of hoarseness 1 week after treatment. Indirect laryngoscopy at the time confirmed right vocal cord paralysis. When the examination was repeated in 6 months, no improvement was noted; vocal cord paralysis was then declared permanent. Surprisingly, 11 months after the onset of symptoms, the patient observed improvement in her voice. At 14 months, she experienced complete vocal recovery. However, a computed tomography performed after this showed that her right vocal cord paralysis was unresolved. The apparent complete recovery of her voice is believed to be a result of adaptive compensatory mechanisms. Patients who recover from hoarseness after injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve should have cord function documented by indirect laryngoscopy or other means before the physician performs a procedure that could harm the contralateral nerve, because damage to this nerve could result in devastating consequences.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/24. Iatrogenic lesions of the colon and rectum.Our ability to document a number of examples of iatrogenic lesions of the colon and rectum in three general hospitals confirms the multiplicity of these lesions as presented in the literature. It appears that the careful surgeon and his associates would well heed the old admonition known as Murphy's law, that "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." In the daily practice of the general surgeon and proctologist, it is apparent that gentleness in approaching any anal-rectal examination for either diagnostic or therapeutic purposes is mandatory. The insertion of any foreign object, be it an examining finger, a thermometer, enema tip, or proctoscope, may subject the patient to an inadvertent injury of significant proportion. The dangers inherent in the evaluation and treatment of patients with recognized disease processes is significantly greater than that associated with routine and screening examinations. morbidity and mortality have been shown to be associated with the barium enema as well as with the barium enema as well as with some of the newer radiologic procedures such as mesenteric angiography. The use of tap water for enemas has produced morbidity both from thermal injuries and from electrolyte depletion. Antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs frequently result in colon and rectal disease, and therapeutic procedures directed at organs adjacent to the colon and rectum have resulted in a number of iatrogenic lesions. This reviews confirms reports of others that iatrogenic lesions of the colon and rectum are not solely due to the physician's inexperience, as significant numbers of these lesions were the result of the diagnostic or therapeutic efforts of men of considerable experience and skill. Advanced age of the patient and diseases leading to changes in the character of the bowel wall frequently were factors in the production of these lesions. A poorly prepared bowel has led to increased morbidity and mortality associated with iatrogenic perforations. The early recognition of these lesions and prompt medical and surgical management diminishes both the morbidity and mortality associated with such injuries.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/24. Iatrogenic cardiopulmonary arrest during pediatric sedation with meperidine, promethazine, and chlorpromazine.The pediatric sedative combination of meperidine, promethazine, and chlorpromazine (MPC) has been widely used for more than 40 years. Despite its relatively poor efficacy and questionable safety profile, many emergency departments (EDs) continue to stock specially formulated mixtures of these three agents. We report a case of iatrogenic cardiac arrest in a 2-month-old infant in whom a consulting resident administered too much MPC (10 times the expected dose) by the wrong route (intravenous instead of intramuscular). The child was successfully resuscitated with no apparent neurologic deficit. Subsequently, we have removed MPC entirely from our ED and instituted a policy restricting ED procedural sedation privileges to emergency physicians. We urge other EDs to do likewise.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/24. staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome developing during burn treatment.We report a case of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) in a 5-year-old girl who had been hospitalized for burn treatment. When she developed an upper respiratory tract infection, she manifested extensive erythema and exfoliation. There was a purulent discharge from the ulcer caused by the burn, and exfoliation was observed in the surrounding area. Based on clinical symptoms and laboratory data, SSSS was diagnosed and treated with antibiotics, resulting in subsidence. staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the posterior nasopharynx and the skin erosion and was proved to produce exfoliative toxin A (ETA). infection from an asymptomatic carrier of an ET-producing strain was suspected, but we failed to identify the origin, in spite of a thorough inspection of the mother, nurses, and physician. SSSS is occasionally reported as a hospital-acquired infection. We should study the frequency of asymptomatic carriers of ET-producing strains so that we can formulate strategies to prevent such infections.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/24. Unexpected hypoglycemia in a critically ill patient.Administration of the wrong medication is a serious and understudied problem. Because physicians are not directly involved in the drug administration process, they tend to overlook the possibility of adverse drug events and medication errors in their differential diagnoses of patient illnesses or acute deterioration. This article analyzes the case of a patient with iatrogenic hypoglycemia due to administration of the wrong medication: insulin instead of heparin was used to flush the patient's arterial line. In addition to assessing the results of the institution's "root-cause analysis" of the factors contributing to this particular adverse event and the institution's response, this article reviews the literature on preventing medication errors. Key strategies that might have been helpful in this case include using checklists for common emergency conditions (such as altered level of consciousness) and automated paging for "panic laboratory values," as well as instituting protocols for medication administration. Changing the system of administering medications by bar coding drugs, with checks of the medication, patient, and provider, could have prevented this accident. Finally, organizations need to strive for a "culture of safety" by providing opportunities to discuss errors and adverse events in constructive, supportive environments and by resisting pressure to find a scapegoat.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/24. A unique extra-anatomic urinary diversion!The ureter is often involved in pelvic malignancy, leading to obstruction, hydronephrosis, and deterioration of renal function. decompression is provided either by retrograde stenting or by nephrostomy followed by antegrade stent insertion. We present an interesting case where an iatrogenic accident during antegrade stenting led to the placement of the lower end of the stent in the rectal stump. Although this led to a favorable outcome, in that it provided internal continent drainage, it cannot be recommended for emulation. However, it does show that a physician should not only have conventional wisdom but also a good measure of innovation and pragmatism.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/24. Inpatient theophylline toxicity: preventable factors.OBJECTIVE: To identify preventable factors contributing to inpatient theophylline toxicity. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Tertiary care public hospital. PATIENTS: Forty consecutive adult inpatients (mean age, 56.5 years) with theophylline levels greater than 140 mumol/L (25.0 mg/L). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A retrospective chart audit was done. Toxicity was produced in 27 of 40 patients by inpatient or emergency department theophylline administration. Management errors found included delay (greater than 10 hours) in taking action from time toxic blood levels were drawn (20 patients), inappropriately high dosing of patients with congestive heart failure (17 patients), failure to recognize obvious symptoms (16 patients), recurrent toxicity (11 patients), additional emergency department treatment of already toxic patients (7 patients), overlap of intravenous and oral therapy (6 patients), patient discharged with no physician awareness of toxicity or dosage change (5 patients). CONCLUSIONS: A set of recurring management errors was identified as contributing to inpatient theophylline toxicity. Effective preventive mechanisms could have prevented most toxicity and associated morbidity. theophylline's overall risk-benefit ratio in the inpatient setting may be less than that measured in well-controlled studies of the drug's efficacy because of these management errors.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/24. Wernicke's lethal encephalopathy in voluntary, total, prolonged fasting.A lethal case of Wernicke's encephalopathy caused by prolonged fasting is reported; the liability of physicians is evaluated.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/24. iatrogenic disease and the primary care physician.Primary care physicians need to be aware of iatrogenic disease and its causes. Adverse drug reactions, including drug-drug interactions, and certain diagnostic procedures may lead to iatrogenic complications. Hospitalized patients, especially the elderly, face increased risks of such complications. physicians who are aware of common adverse reactions to drugs, drug combinations, and medical procedures may be able to help patients avoid unnecessary distress and morbidity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 5keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/24. Medically induced drug addiction.Iatrogenic, or medically induced, drug addiction is a problem affecting both patients and physicians. We describe the function of a new center devoted solely to managing iatrogenic addiction. The center accepts patients on physician referral only. The addiction usually arises as a complication of a medical disorder that is accompanied by pain and requires comprehensive and multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment. Detoxification from the offending medication, provision of chronic analgesia, and maintenance are managed with methadone. All appropriate modalities of treatment including psychotherapy, physical therapy, and relaxation techniques are employed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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