Ovarian torsion masquerading as a ureteral stone.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal pain is the most common complaint within the emergency department (ED) and has many varied etiologies. Some of these conditions can be medical emergencies, including ovarian torsion. While representing just 3% of gynecologic emergencies, ovarian torsion should be considered in all females presenting to the ED with abdominal or pelvic complaints. CASE: A 38-year-old G5P5 female with a past medical history significant for ureterolithiasis presented to a freestanding ED with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. She developed sudden onset of right sided abdominal pain radiating to her right flank upon awakening. The initial differential diagnosis was for ureterolithiasis or appendicitis. Her complete blood count (CBC) was normal, and testing for pregnancy, infection, and hematuria was negative. Computed topography (CT) imaging of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a 9 cm adnexal mass, consistent with a possible dermoid cyst. A pelvic ultrasound was ordered which showed a possible ovarian torsion. She was transferred to a tertiary care hospital where she had a laparoscopy with right-sided oophorectomy and salpingectomy performed. DISCUSSION: This patient presented with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting and was first suspected to have ureterolithiasis or appendicitis. She was found to have an ovarian torsion with a dermoid cyst, which resulted in the loss of her ovary and fallopian tube. This case demonstrates the importance of including gynecologic emergencies in the differential on all female patients presenting with abdominal pain.

DO HIGHER DOSES OF NALOXONE INCREASE THE RISK OF PULMONARY COMPLICATIONS?

BACKGROUND: Although naloxone has proven to be an effective opioid reversal agent, concern that high doses of naloxone can cause pulmonary edema may prevent health care providers from administering it in initial high doses. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine whether increased doses of naloxone are correlated with an increase in pulmonary complications in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) after an opioid overdose. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients treated with naloxone by emergency medical services (EMS) or in the ED at an urban level I trauma center and three associated freestanding EDs. Data were queried from EMS run reports and the medical record and included demographic characteristics, naloxone dosing, administration route, and pulmonary complications. Patients were grouped by naloxone dose received, defined as low (≤ 2 mg), moderate (> 2 mg to ≤ 4 mg), and high (> 4 mg). RESULTS: Of the 639 patients included, 13 (2.0%) were diagnosed with a pulmonary complication. There was no difference in the development of pulmonary complications across groups (p = 0.676). There was no difference in pulmonary complications based on the route of administration (p = 0.342). The administration of higher doses of naloxone was not associated with longer hospital stays (p = 0.0327). CONCLUSIONS: Study results suggest that the reluctance of many health care providers to administer larger doses of naloxone on initial treatment may not be warranted. In this investigation, there were no poor outcomes associated with an increase in naloxone administration. Further investigation in a more diverse population is warranted.

Acute transverse myelitis progressing to permanent quadriplegia following COVID-19 infection.

As of January 2022, there have been over 350 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the world. The most common symptoms in those infected are fever, cough, malaise, and myalgia, however pulmonary, hematologic, gastrointestinal, renal, and neurologic complications have also been reported. Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is an uncommon neurological syndrome characterized by acute or subacute spinal cord dysfunction that can lead to paresthesias, sensory and autonomic impairment, and even paralysis. Etiologies are often unclear; however, potential causes include infection, neoplastic, drug or toxin induced, autoimmune, and acquired. Treatment for ATM primarily consists of steroids and plasmapheresis, which often reverses any neurologic symptoms. ATM has rarely been reported as a complication of COVID-19 infections. A 43-year-old female presented to the emergency department for evaluation of progressive numbness and tingling in her legs ten days after developing upper respiratory symptoms from a COVID-19 infection. Physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a diagnosis of ATM. During her hospital course, she experienced rapid progression of her paresthesias and developed complete loss of motor function in her upper and lower extremities. Within 48 hours after emergency department arrival, she required intubation due to worsening diaphragmatic and chest wall paralysis. Her treatment included a long-term steroid regimen and plasmapheresis, and unfortunately, she did not have any neurologic recovery. We present a very rare case of ATM progressing to complete quadriplegia following COVID-19 infection.