1/27. neuroleptic malignant syndrome due to promethazine.A 42-year-old man came to our emergency room hyperthermic (oral temperature, 42.4 degrees C), diaphoretic, and delirious. Other findings included labile blood pressure, sinus tachycardia (heart rate, 138/min), tachypnea (respiratory rate 34/min), muscle rigidity, and incontinence. Two days earlier, he had gone to a local clinic with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. promethazine was prescribed, and this was the patient's only medication on admission. Laboratory studies showed leukocytosis, hypernatremia, metabolic acidosis, elevated creatinine phosphokinase level, elevated transaminase levels, azotemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and myoglobulinuria. The clinical and laboratory findings were characteristic of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, with promethazine as the offending agent.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/27. rhabdomyolysis after a long-term thoracic surgery in right decubitus position.We report a rare case who developed rhabdomyolysis associated with the use of the right decubitus position for 10 h during thoracotomy with lobectomy. It appears that an increasing of the compartment pressure may induce reperfusion injury of the ischemic muscle by prolonged compression of the gluteal and flank muscles against the operation table. Early recognition and aggressive treatment with intravenous fluid and diuresis may prevent the development of acute renal failure. Adequate prevention in high-risk patients, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are the keys to a successful recovery.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/27. Metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, and cardiovascular collapse after prolonged propofol infusion.The authors present the hospital course of a 13-year-old girl with a closed head injury who received a prolonged infusion of propofol for sedation and, subsequently, died as a result of severe metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, and cardiovascular collapse. The patient had been treated for 4 days at a referring hospital for a severe closed head injury sustained in a fall from a bicycle. During treatment for elevations of intracranial pressure, she received a continuous propofol infusion (100 microg/kg/min). The patient began to exhibit severe high anion gap/low lactate metabolic acidosis, and was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit at the authors' institution. On arrival there, the patient's glasgow coma scale score was 3 and this remained unchanged during her brief stay. The severe metabolic acidosis was unresponsive to maximum therapy. Acute renal failure ensued as a result of rhabdomyolysis, and myocardial dysfunction with bizarre, wide QRS complexes developed without hyperkalemia. The patient died of myocardial collapse with severe metabolic acidosis and multisystem organ failure (involving renal, hepatic, and cardiac systems) approximately 15 hours after admission to the authors' institution. This patient represents another case of severe metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, and cardiovascular collapse observed after a prolonged propofol infusion in a pediatric patient. The authors suggest selection of other pharmacological agents for long-term sedation in pediatric patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/27. lower extremity compartment syndrome in an adolescent with spinal cord injury.OBJECTIVE: Describe the unusual complication of lower extremity compartment syndrome occurring in an adolescent with spinal cord injury (SCI). methods: Case presentation. RESULTS: A 17-year-old male with C5 asia A complete SCI developed a compartment syndrome of his lower leg on the ninth day postinjury. Presenting signs included an equinus deformity of the foot, blackened induration over the anterior tibia, circumferential erythematous markings over the calf, large urticarial lesions over the knee, and calf swelling. The presumed etiology of the compartment syndrome was excessive pressure from elastic wraps, which were placed over gradient elastic stockings. Pressures were 51 mmHg in the superficial posterior, 50 mmHg in the deep posterior, 33 mmHg in the anterior, and 34 mmHg in the peroneal compartments. The patient also developed rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria. In addition to supportive care, the patient underwent a dual incision fasciotomy for compartment release. CONCLUSIONS: The development of lower extremity compartment syndrome was probably a result of excessive pressure applied by elastic wraps. Elastic wraps should be used with caution in individuals with SCI.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/27. Successful treatment of a complicated case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening reaction often related to neuroleptic drugs, characterized by rigidity, hyperthermia, altered consciousness, and fluctuating blood pressure. We present a case of NMS that followed a doubled oral dose of a drug compound: tranylcypromine sulfate, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and trifluoperazine (neuroleptic). The case was complicated by rhabdomyolisis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. It was treated successfully with dantrolene sodium and generous fluid therapy without using neuromuscular blocking agents or dopamine agonists.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/27. Pressure-induced rhabdomyolysis after bariatric surgery.Rhabdomyolisis most commonly occurs after muscle injury, alcohol ingestion, drug intake and exhaustive exercise. Prolonged muscle compression at the time of surgery may produce this complication. obesity has been reported as a risk factor for pressure-induced rhabdomyolysis, but no reports associated with bariatric surgery could be found in the literature. We report 3 superobese patients who developed rhabdomyolysis after bariatric surgery. This complication was attributed to direct and prolonged pressure of the bed against the dorsal and gluteal muscles.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/27. rhabdomyolysis of gluteal muscles leading to renal failure: a potentially fatal complication of surgery in the morbidly obese.BACKGROUND: rhabdomyolysis is a well-known cause of renal failure and is most commonly caused by ischemia/reperfusion or crush injury. We describe a new cause of this syndrome in a series of 6 patients who underwent necrosis of the gluteal muscles after bariatric surgery, 3 of whom eventually died of renal failure. methods: Potential etiologic factors were studied by comparing these patients with a consecutive series of 100 patients undergoing primary uncomplicated bariatric surgery during a 1-year period. Demographics, preoperative BMI, co-morbidities, duration of operation, and postoperative creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels. RESULTS: All patients presented with an area of buttock skin breakdown initially diagnosed as a simple decubitus ulcer. All had extensive myonecrosis of the medial gluteal muscles requiring extensive debridement. 5 of the 6 patients were male, with median BMI 67 compared with a median BMI 55 in the control group (P=0.0022). The patients were on the operating-room table for a median of 5.7 hours compared with 4.0 in the control group (P=0.01). 3 of the 6 developed renal failure requiring dialysis, which was fatal in all. One other patient developed a transient elevation of BUN and creatinine which did not require dialysis. Since recognition of this pattern, we now routinely perform serial CPK measurements. Median CPK rise in uncomplicated patients was to 1,200 mg/dl (SD 450-9,000), while CPK in affected patients ranged from 26,000 to 29,000 IU/l. We now routinely add additional buttock padding in very obese patients and institute aggressive hydration and mannitol diuresis if CPK rises above 5,000. No cases have occurred in the past 18 months in 220 patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is an important and potentially fatal complication of bariatric surgery. Very obese male patients with prolonged surgery are at risk of gluteal muscle necrosis with consequent renal failure, which we hypothesize is due to pressure by the operating-table leading to rhabdomyolysis and the creation of a compartment syndrome. Prevention may be aided by attention to intraoperative padding and positioning, and by limiting the duration of the operation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/27. Lumbar muscle rhabdomyolysis as a cause of acute renal failure after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.BACKGROUND: rhabdomyolysis occurs when injury to skeletal muscle disrupts the integrity of the sarcolemmal membrane, allowing release of intracellular proteins into the circulation. Serious complications, such as hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, compartment syndrome, cardiac dysrhythmias, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and acute renal failure can develop if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. methods: A morbidly obese patient is presented who developed this rare complication after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Etiology, pathophysiology, complications, diagnosis and treatment are reviewed, to enable prompt treatment. RESULTS: The patient was treated with crystalloid resuscitation, mannitol, and sodium bicarbonate, and underwent 3 courses of hemodialysis. Normal renal function returned by postoperative day 5. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidly obese patients are at higher risk for developing postoperative rhabdomyolysis, likely because of increased compressive pressure due to the patient's weight. Surgeons should consider rhabdomyolysis in morbidly obese patients who experience postoperative oliguria. Frequent position changes during operations lasting more than 2 hours can protect muscle tissue from compressive injury.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/27. When pain is out of proportion.What happened to each of the patients? On re-examination, the first person was in tears and unable to lie still, even after 20 mg of i.v. morphine sulfate. Capillary refill was still intact, but he had lost sensation to the dorsum of the foot and was unable to dorsiflex his toes. He had a marked elevation of compartment pressure, and his creatinine phosphokinase (see below) was twice normal. In the OR, a fasciotomy was performed. Some muscle necrosis had occurred. In the second patient, fluids were infused rapidly on arrival at the ED via the i.v. route. He was given morphine sulfate for pain control while we awaited laboratory results. After about 45 minutes, he produced dark red urine. His creatinine phosphokinase (diagnostic muscle enzyme test) was 190,000--nearly 1,000 times above normal. He also had evidence of liver and kidney damage, but no electrolyte abnormalities. With aggressive treatment, including furosemide and sodium bicarbonate, his kidney and liver function returned to normal, he survived the ordeal and was discharged. The group leaders took the third patient to a local ED, where cellulitis was diagnosed and oral antibiotics were prescribed. The pain and fever increased, and significant discoloration began spreading up her hand over the next 24 hours. The second ED visit resulted in an admission. When the findings progressed despite i.v. antibiotics, surgical exploration was performed with drainage, debridement of devitalized tissue and a change in i.v. antibiotics. The common feature of all of these conditions is pain out of proportion to few, if any, findings on physical examination. Swelling that causes much of the damage in each condition is frequently not appreciated clinically until the condition is well advanced. Remember, what you see is not necessarily what you get.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/27. Gluteal compartment and crush syndromes. Report of three cases and review of the literature.Gluteal compartment syndromes are rare. The pathophysiology and the principles of diagnosis and treatment, however, are the same as those for leg and forearm compartment syndromes. Trauma may not be a salient feature of gluteal compartment syndromes where substance abuse and a prolonged period of unconsciousness, recumbency, or both are more typical. Because of this and the large muscle mass involved, systemic manifestations of a crush syndrome are usually present. Altered mental status and metabolic abnormalities may distract from the primary problem, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. The proximity of the sciatic nerve can result in compression induced neuropathy. Measurement of an elevated compartment pressure confirms the diagnosis. In three patients, aged 37, 31, and 37 years, prompt fasciotomy relieved muscle ischemia, preserved neurologic function, and produced a satisfactory functional result.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
| | Next -> |