11/141. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in a patient abusing thyroxine for weight reduction.Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a rare endocrine disorder most prevalent among individuals of Asian descent that presents as proximal muscle weakness, hypokalemia, and signs of hyperthyroidism. We present an unusual patient with previous normal thyroid function who had abused thyroxine as antiobesity pills and developed periodic paralysis affecting the upper and lower limbs.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = upper (Clic here for more details about this article) |
12/141. dextropropoxyphene dependence: a cautionary note.Drug abuse and dependence is common in patients with chronic pain. Of concern are the opioid analgesics prescribed commonly, and its availability over the counter. Often the cause of dependence is iatrogenic. We report a case of a patient with chronic back pain and dextropropoxyphene dependence. With chronic pain being a significant risk factor for drug dependence, increased caution by the prescribing physicians is advisable while treating such patients using opioid analgesics. The dangers of opioid dependence, associated risk factors, and issues regarding the prescription of such medication are discussed to aid prevention of prescription drug abuse seen in general practice.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.28003044649313keywords = back (Clic here for more details about this article) |
13/141. Treatment of anticholinergic-induced ileus with neostigmine.A 33-year-old man with a history of recreational benztropine abuse presented to the emergency department with confusion, abdominal pain, and distention. An abdominal radiograph revealed gross fecal loading. He was initially treated with intravenous fluids and opiate analgesia. Subsequently, a diagnosis of anticholinergic poisoning was made, based on tachycardia, delirium, dry mucosa, and reduced bowel sounds. Treatment with tacrine reversed the delirium, and a history of repeated benztropine use was obtained. Persistent ileus was treated with repeated doses of neostigmine, and gastrointestinal motility returned with prompt defecation. neostigmine appears to be useful in reversing ileus caused by anticholinergic drug overdose. Theoretically, it may be useful in reversing anticholinergic ileus resulting from acute drug overdose, allowing or enhancing decontamination, but the safety and potential efficacy of neostigmine in this scenario have not been established.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 8.5314840415176keywords = abdominal pain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
14/141. gasoline sniffing multifocal neuropathy.The polyneuropathy caused by chronic gasoline inhalation is reported to be a gradually progressive, symmetric, sensorimotor polyneuropathy. We report unleaded gasoline sniffing by a female 14 years of age that precipitated peripheral neuropathy. In contrast with the previously reported presentation of peripheral neuropathy in gasoline inhalation, our patient developed multiple mononeuropathies superimposed on a background of sensorimotor polyneuropathy. The patient illustrates that gasoline sniffing neuropathy may present with acute multiple mononeuropathies resembling mononeuritis multiplex, possibly related to increased peripheral nerve susceptibility to pressure in the setting of neurotoxic components of gasoline. The presence of tetraethyl lead, which is no longer present in modern gasoline mixtures, is apparently not a necessary factor in the development of gasoline sniffer's neuropathy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.28003044649313keywords = back (Clic here for more details about this article) |
15/141. crack cocaine-related prepyloric perforation treated laparoscopically.Perforation, which occurs in seven to 10 patients per 100,000 population annually, complicates 5-10% of peptic ulcers. crack cocaine has been associated with many gastrointestinal disorders, including ulcer perforation. Crack-related gastroduodenal perforations, typically prepyloric, have been on the rise in the last decade. Suggested mechanisms include ischemia, motility disorders, increased air swallowing, platelet-related thrombosis, and increased ACTH and corticosterone secretion. A 28-year-old man presented with vomiting and sudden generalized abdominal pain 3 h after smoking a "rock" (a 100-mg cube of crack). physical examination revealed generalized guarding, and plain films showed free intraperitoneal air. laparoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of generalized peritonitis secondary to a 5-mm perforation of the prepyloric anterior wall of the gastric antrum. omentum-patched primary closure and thorough abdominal irrigation were undertaken. The postoperative course was uneventful. omeprazole and anti-H. pylori treatment, including erythromycin and metronidazole, were maintained for 8 weeks and 1 week, respectively. Although drug addicts are not easily compliant with long-term medical treatment, in the particular case of crack addiction, the vasoconstrictive and dismotility effects of cocaine may precipitate gastric necrosis and paralysis, respectively, in the case of vagotomy. Although distal gastrectomy was the wisest choice when open ulcer surgery was adopted, the laparoscopic treatment of perforated ulcer, with either suture or sutureless techniques, has been found to be comparable to open surgery with regard to postoperative morbidity, reoperation rates, and mortality. The potential advantages of laparoscopy include the avoidance of large incisions, less attendant pulmonary morbidity, less wound infection, and possibly fewer postoperative adhesions.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 8.5314840415176keywords = abdominal pain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
16/141. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis from streptococcus salivarius in a compromised host.A seriously ill patient with cirrhosis and resistant ascites from hepatitis c and alcohol abuse abruptly deteriorated. He developed encephalopathic changes, abdominal pain and tenderness and was suspected of having spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. The peritoneal fluid contained many granulocytes and Steptococcus salivarius was isolated from the fluid.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 8.5314840415176keywords = abdominal pain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
17/141. Subarachnoid haemorrhage with "Ecstasy" abuse in a young adult.Abuse of the drugs like amphetamine, cocaine and "Ecstasy" may be complicated by intracerebral, subdural or subarachnoid haemorrhage. Contrary to historical opinion, drug-related intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is frequently related to an underlying vascular malformation. We report the case of an 18-year-old man with a history of Ecstasy abuse preceding the onset of severe occipital headache. Cerebral computed tomography revealed right-sided subarachnoid haemorrhage and cerebral angiography showed right-sided middle cerebral artery aneurysm of 1 cm diameter. The patient was treated surgically with aneurysm clipping. Three weeks after onset of intracranial haemorrhage, neurological examination demonstrated normal findings. A history of severe headache immediately after using amphetamine, Ecstasy, or cocaine should alert doctors to the possibility of intracerebral haemorrhage. Arteriography should be part of the evaluation of most young patients with stroke or non-traumatic ICH.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 118.77200644542keywords = headache (Clic here for more details about this article) |
18/141. methadone maintenance treatment and St. John's Wort - a case report.St. John's wort, a popular over-the-counter drug for treatment of depression, might reduce concentrations of drugs such as cyclosporin and indinavir and lead to drug resistance and treatment failure. No studies as yet have examined its influence on methadone plasma levels. The trough methadone plasma levels were measured in four patients (2 males, median age: 31 years; range 19 - 40 years) in methadone maintenance treatment just before the introduction of St. John's wort (900 mg/d) and after a median period of 31-day treatment (range 14 - 47). The study was proposed to addict patients about to start an antidepressant therapy. Introduction of St. John's wort resulted in a strong reduction of (R,S)-methadone concentration-to-dose ratios in the four median patients included, with a median decrease to 47 % of the original concentration (range: 19 % - 60 % of the original concentration). Two patients reported symptoms that suggested a withdrawal syndrome. Thus, prescription of St. John's wort might decrease methadone blood levels and induce withdrawal symptoms which, if not correctly identified and handled (by changing the antidepressant or by increasing the methadone dose), might cause unnecessary discomfort to the patient, lead to resumption of illicit drug uses, or be a risk factor for discontinuation of the methadone or antidepressant treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 23.730678657419keywords = discomfort (Clic here for more details about this article) |
19/141. Persisting visual hallucinations and illusions in previously drug-addicted patients.BACKGROUND: Tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis) and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are psychomimetic agents that induce impairment of sensory perception. illusions and hallucinations are mostly visual. Most frequently the visual phenomena occur in conjunction with drug abuse. patients AND methods: Three previously drug-addicted patients were examined for either persisting or spontaneously recurrent visual phenomena. Two patients complained of persisting visual illusions (vibrations, dyskinetopsia and impaired depth perception) during more than 12 months after an excessive use of cannabis. The third patient was a multiple drug abuser (LSD for 6 years) and complained of visual hallucinations and palinopsia following heavy ethanol intake, 20 years after stopping the use of any drug. RESULTS: Results from neuro-ophthalmic and neurological examinations were normal for the first two patients. The third patient presented abnormal visual fields with preserved visual acuity; electroencephalography was abnormal, suggesting an underlying toxic encephalopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent visual illusions or hallucinations can occur during several months after an intake of cannabis. Flash-back phenomena are frequent amongst LSD abusers. They rarely occur at long times after the last intake (20 years in the present case); when they do so, precipitating factors are often present (ethanol, medication, anesthesia). Such phenomena reflect the cortical dysfunctions that can be induced by illegal substances.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.28003044649313keywords = back (Clic here for more details about this article) |
20/141. Acute carpal tunnel syndrome: two rare cases.Acute carpal tunnel syndrome is an orthopaedic emergency that requires prompt surgical treatment. We describe two rare cases of this condition, one secondary to pyogenic infection and one secondary to prolonged pressure on the upper limb brought on by overdose.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = upper (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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