Fatal accident involving a welder employed by a shipping container company, associated with the use of tramadol and antidepressant agents

The widespread use of opioids for the treatment of moderate or severe acute and chronic pain has become a public health problem due to the physical and psychological dependence and tolerance they produce. The increasingly higher doses that patients require may reach toxic levels or lead to accidents, including fatalities. We present the case of a welder who, while working for a shipping container company, fell from height without a safety harness and subsequently died as a result of a traumatic brain injury. Post-mortem examination revealed a cardiac blood tramadol concentration of 2.83 mg/L, which is 3-4 times higher than the maximum therapeutic dose. The combined use of synthetic opioids and antidepressants may heighten the adverse neurological and psychiatric effects. A review of the literature, identified studies, including previous reports of fatalities, supported our causal hypothesis of a serotonin syndrome. This syndrome can lead to a loss of cognitive and sensory capacity, interfere with decision-making ability, and produce mental confusion and dizziness, among other symptoms. In order to prevent harm to themselves and others, all persons who are currently taking these kinds of drugs should avoid dangerous tasks at work and must be advised by a physician regarding the type of activities that are safe for them to perform

Valoración medicolegal de la infección por COVID-19 en el ámbito laboral

Spain is one of the countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, 22% of reported cases are healthcare professionals, and 76% of them are women. Given that many healthcare professionals may have been infected in their workplace, we have reviewed the occupational health challenges posed by COVID-19. The Spanish laws and the recommendations of the International Labor Organization are described. The review covers the classification of SARS-CoV-2 as a biological agent in group 3 and of COVID-19 as an occupational accident or disease, its repercussions in temporary and permanent disabilities, sequelae and death, and the possible claims of those who may have developed the disease due to the lack of preventive measures

Réplica : Nogué S, Sanz-Gallén P, Gili JM, Pagés F. Picadura por coral de fuego: un riesgo asociado al turismo en aguas tropicales

Réplica en relación al artículo Nogué S, Sanz-Gallén P, Gili JM, Pagés F. Picadura por coral de fuego: un riesgo asociado al turismo en aguas tropicales publicado en Medicina Clinica 123(7): 277-278 (2004) https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-7753(04)74489-9.-- 2 pagesPeer Reviewe

Red sea coral sting: a risk associated with tourism

2 pages, 1 figure.-- Este artículo se complementa con una réplica publicada en Med Clin (Barc) 124(6): 238-239 (2005) https://doi.org/10.1157/13071770Peer Reviewe

Chronic Bilateral Maculopathy In A Welder

Caso clínico[ES] Se aporta un caso de maculopatía bilateral crónica, en un soldador que trabajaba en un pequeño taller mecánico. Consulta a un Servicio de Oftalmología porque desde hacía varios meses presentaba una importante pérdida de visión. El diagnóstico se realiza principalmente a través de la retinografía, las imágenes de autofluorescencía y de la tomografía de coherencia óptica. Se comentan los principales casos descritos en la literatura médica. También se describen las principales medidas preventivas que se deberían aplicar para evitar la aparición de casos como este. [EN] A case of chronic bilateral maculopathy is provided in a welder working in a small workshop. Consult a Department of Ophthalmology because for several months has vision loss. The diagnosis is mainly done through retinography, images of autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography. Principal cases described in the literature are discussed. Preventive measures should be implemented to prevent the incidence of cases like this are also described.N

Intoxicación aguda por hidrato de hidracina

Se aporta un caso de exposición aguda, debido a un vertido accidental de unos 25 litros de hidrato de hidracina, que el trabajador estuvo recogiendo sin ningún tipo de equipo de protección individual. El trabajador presentó alteraciones bucales, cutáneas y dolores abdominales difusos. De las pruebas complementarias únicamente se detectó un aumento de la bilirrubina total con predominio de la indirecta. Se le separó de la exposición, se le administró un tratamiento sintomático y en un periodo de un mes se recuperó íntegramente. Se comenta los principales casos de intoxicación por hidracina descritos en la literatura médica y se enfatiza en las medidas preventivas que se deben tomar para evitar casos como éste.<br>We report a case of poisoning by acute exposure to hydrazine hydrate in a worker clearing up an accidental spillage of about 25 litres of the product who had no type of individual protective equipment. The patient presented buccal and cutaneous involvement and diffuse abdominal pain. Complementary tests were unremarkable except for an increase in total bilirubin with a predominance of indirect bilirubin. The patient was removed from the occupational exposure, symptomatic treatment was administered and the patient recovered completely after one month. We review the main reported cases of hydrazine poisoning and emphasize the preventive measures that should be taken to avoid this type of poisoning