Visual impairment induced by prosthetic cobaltism.

The case of a 68-year-old patient with visual loss secondary to prosthetic cobaltism is reported. The degeneration of the metallic hip prosthesis can produce a systemic absorption of cobalt with cardiac, neurological, endocrine, auditory, and visual manifestations. The diagnostic suspicion is confirmed by serum cobalt measurements. Treatment with early surgery and chelating agents can lead to improvement of the visual, and the other disorders.

[Emergent drugs (III): hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms]. / Drogas emergentes (III): plantas y hongos alucinógenos.

An increase in the consumption of vegetable substances with a hallucinogenic effect has been observed. Some of these substances are associated with ancestral religious ceremonies, while many of them are legal or are partially regulated. Salvia divinorum is a powerful kappa receptor agonist, with dissociative and hallucinogenic properties, which start quickly and have a short duration. Kratom (Mytragyna speciosa) has mitragynine as its principal alkaloid, with stimulating effects at low doses (coke-like effect), and sedative effects (opiate-like effect) at high doses. Several deaths from its consumption have been detected. The consumption of hallucinogenic mushrooms appears in cyclic form, although there has been increase in their online offer. They are consumed in search of their hallucinogenic effects, above all those belonging to the family of psilocybes, which contain tryptamines with a hallucinogenic effect similar to LSD. Peyote (Lophophora psilocybes), a cactus rich in mescaline (trimetoxifeniletilamina), produces hallucinations of the five senses, and forms part of the religious culture of the North American Indians. Daturas, which are ubiquitous, produce anticholinergic symptoms and effects on the central nervous system (delirium, hallucinations, etc.), due to their high atropine and scopolamine content. Other substances used for their hallucinogenic effects include the drink known as ayahuasca, and seeds for preparing infusions like Ololiuqui, Morning Glory (Ipomoea violacea), Hawaian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa), Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala) and Iboga Rootbark (Tabernanthe iboga).

[Acute mushrooms poisoning]. / Intoxicaciones agudas por setas.

The collection and consumption of wild mushrooms by individuals with no mycological knowledge and their accidental ingestion by minors are responsible for a growing increase of poisonings. It is not usual for emergency care of a patient affected by mushroom poisoning to be based on recognition of the responsible species of fungus or access to a sample of the mushroom consumed. It is this reason knowledge of toxidromes is crucial. In the majority of cases, the symptoms are weak. Mortality is usually related to the development of potentially fatal liver necrosis after consumption of the fungus Amanita phalloides and others which contain amatoxins. Treatment is based on support measures but no specific treatments exist that are based on scientifically proven studies. In the following article the clues used in diagnosing which make it possible to carry out a syndromic diagnosis based on a period of latency will be analyzed. The mushrooms that are responsible for the most common syndromes, therapeutic options, as well as varieties of toxic fungus which may produce peculiar and exceptional symptoms are also reported.

[Acute exogenous lipoid pneumonia in "fire-eaters". Description of two cases]. / Neumonía lipoidea exógena aguda en "comedores de fuego". Descripción de dos casos.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia is a rare disease that has traditionally been considered a chronic condition secondary to continued aspiration or inhalation of fatty substances. An acute form may sometimes appear after a single and massive aspiration of lipid material, being a characteristic accident of street artists or "fire-eaters" that may generate acute respiratory failure. In this paper, we present clinical and radiological signs and outcome of two cases of lipoid pneumonia in "fire-eaters". A few hours after exposure patients may develop fever, cough, chest pain, hemoptysis, pulmonary infiltrates or hypoxemia. While diagnosis of chronic forms may require invasive procedures, recent exposure to fatty substances is a clue for clinical diagnosis in acute forms. Acute forms usually have a good outcome but cases evolving to cavitary pneumonia have been described. Some patients can present with acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. Treatment is based on general supportive measures.