A Case of Acute Myocarditis and Rhabdomyolysis after a Scorpion Sting

WOS: 000392193000004Introduction: Scorpion stings continue to be a current public health problem in tropical regions of the world. Local effects are usually seen, but fatal cardiovascular complications may occur, albeit rarely, from scorpion stings. The purpose of this case is to emphasize that rhabdomyolysis and myocarditis can occur in patients admitted to a hospital with a scorpion sting. Case Report: A 30-year-old male patient presented to our emergency department (ED) with complaints of pain and redness in the bite site after being stung by a scorpion. His blood pressure was 180/100 mmHg and heart rate was 130/ min. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed a sinus tachycardia. Laboratory tests revealed the following values: creatinine: 1.71 mg/dL, creatinin kinase (CK): 2129 U/L, creatinin kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB): 43.24 ng/mL, and troponin: 22.59 ng/mL. After catheterization of the bladder, dark brown urine was seen. There were no pathological findings in coronary angiography, but the left ventricular ejection fraction was detected as 45%. The clinically stable patient was discharged on the fifth day of hospitalization. There were no abnormal findings in the latest tests of laboratory parameters. Conclusion: Scorpion stings can cause death due to toxic effects on the cardiovascular system. Observations for possible complications from a scorpion sting, such as the possibility of myocarditis, should be kept in mind in patients admitted to the ED with complaints of a scorpion sting

Spinal fractures as an indicator of concurrent other system injuries: An analysis of 242 cases.

WOS: 000396822900003Introduction: The aim of the present study was to examine any non spinal tissue injuries accompanying spinal fractures in an attempt to determine if spinal fractures are an indicator of the presence, severity, and prognosis of concomitant organ/tissue injuries in two trauma center in Turkey. Methods: This study had a retrospective cross-sectional design that incorporated the information of the patients presenting to the emergency services of two level 1 trauma centres in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey between January 2010 and December 2012. Among 242 spinal fracture patients, 98 (41.9%) had accompanying injuries in other regions. Results There was a statistically significant correlation between the accompanying injuries and the single Powered by Editorial Manager (R) and ProduXion Manager (R) from Aries Systems Corporation level spinal fractures, the anatomical localization of the spinal fracture (p=0.012, p=0.048). Accompanying injuries associated with Lumbar Spinal Associated Injury (LSAI) were the most common (n=54, 55%) while Servical Spinal Associated Injury (SSAI) were the least common (n=7, 7.14%). Conclusion: Every patient presenting to emergency department after a high-energy trauma should be regarded as vertebral fracture sunless proven otherwise, and any spine fractures should be taken serious with regard to potential internal organ injuries

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Mushroom Poisonings Presenting to Emergency Department

Aim: To emphasize the significance of mushroom poisonings in terms of their wide clinical spectrum and potentially lethal feature. Material and Method: In this retrospective study 135 cases of mushroom poisoning admitted to emergency departments of two major hospitals in Central Anatolian Region between 2010 and 2012 were evaluated. Results: 121 (89.6%) of 135 patients were adult and 14 were in pediatric age group. The mean age was 41.5 +/- 18.4. A hundred twenty-six of patients had poisoned after consuming wild mushrooms. The most frequent symptoms were nause, abdominal pain, fatigue and vomiting. Patients were admitted most commonly within the 6 hours after ingestion. Fifty percent of patients were hospitalized. Mortality was seen in 3 patients. Discussion: Mushroom poisoning still remains as an important public health problem. Due to the diversity and non-specificity of symptoms diagnosis is confounding and should be kept in mind of emergency physicians especially in rainy weather

An Analyses of Bicycle Accidents in Ankara: Analyses of 5 Years

Aim: Bicycles are used for transportation, exercise and recreation. In this study we aimed to investigate the epidemiological, clinical and economic aspects of bicycle injuries. Material and Method: We included in the study who admitted to the Emergency Department with a bicycle accident between January 2008 and July 2012. Patient age and sex, accident pattern, presence of personal protective measures, injured body part, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, Revised Trauma Score (RTS), radiological findings, requested consultations, duration of hospital stay, season of injury, and average cost rates were recorded. The study population was divided into 2 age groups as 0-14 years and over 14 years. Results: A patients were 238 (81.2%) male and their mean age was 31.5 +/- 14.1 years. Fifty-five (18.8%) patients were female and their mean age was 34.5 +/- 15.9 years. Males had significantly higher rate of bicycle injury (p<0.001). The most common injuries occured to lower and upper extremities. Inspection of hospital bills revealed that median patient cost was $175. Discussion: In this study bicycle accidents were more common occured in males and during summer months. The most common injuries was in the lower extremities

Successful application of acute cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Objective: To compare the quality and correct the deficiencies of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures performed in patients who developed cardiopulmonary arrest before or after Emergency Department admission. Methods: This study was conducted on patients who were applied CPR at Sisli Etfal Training and Research and Research Hospital, Emergency Department between 01 January 2012 and 31 December 2012. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the patients' data. The study data were analyzed in SPSS 18.0 software package. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 155 patients who were applied CPR were included in the analysis. Among the study patients, seventy eight (50.3%) were brought to Emergency Department after developing cardiopulmonary arrest while 77 (49.7%) developed cardiopulmonary arrest at Emergency Department. The mean age of the study population was (66 +/- 16) years and 64% of the patients were male. The initial rhythms of the CPR-applied patients were different (P 0.05). The CPR response time was longer in ED (P < 0.05). The survival rate was lower in the trauma patients who developed cardiopulmonary arrest at ED (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The scientific data obtained in this study suggest that an early response and therapy improves outcomes in CPR procedure

Clinical Aspects and Emergent Management of Snake Bites Presented to Emergency Department

Evaluating the epidemiologic characteristics and management of snake bites presenting to emergency departments. Material and Method: In this retrospective study 74 cases of snakebites admitted to Emergency Department of Diyarbakir Training and Research Hospital between 2008 and 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Fourty-six (62.2%) of patients were male and 28 (37.8%) were female. Mean age of the study population was 34.85 +/- 19.17 (min 7-max 80) years. Most of the snakebites occurred between 18.00 to 06.00 hours and at home (73%). 79.7% of snake bites occurred to upper extremities. %93 of cases had intravenous administration of antivenin (one dose). Neither none of the patients needed recurrent administration. Discussion: Snake bites are still a major public health problem especially in rural areas. Particularly emergency care physicians should be adequately capable and sophisticated in multidisciplinary management of snake bites