Puss Caterpillar Envenomation: Erucism Mimicking Appendicitis in a Young Child.

A 4-year-old female presented to the emergency department with 2 days of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. She was tachycardic and had abdominal tenderness. Laboratory studies revealed a leukocytosis, hypokalemia, and metabolic acidosis. Her Pediatric Appendicitis Score (MDCalc) was calculated as 6, indicating that appendicitis could not be excluded. She was transferred to our pediatric hospital for further evaluation. Her ultrasound at our facility was normal. Upon reexamination, the patient was noted to have a red mark on her left index finger, and the family reported that the patient may have been stung by a puss caterpillar before the onset of her symptoms. The patient was treated with ondansetron, morphine, and intravenous fluids, and her symptoms resolved. Erucism frequently develops after stings from the puss caterpillar, which can be found through the southern United States. The most consistent clinical feature is pain. Numbness, muscle cramping, paresthesias, nausea, vomiting, and chest pain have also been described. Severe abdominal pain is reported rarely and may be mistaken for peritonitis. Analgesia is the mainstay of treatment. Topical icepacks have demonstrated inconsistent benefit in relieving pain. Oral medications, including acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and, rarely, opioids, typically suffice. Severe envenomations may require parenteral narcotics.

Theophylline toxicity: An old poisoning for a new generation of physicians.

A healthy 4-year-old female presented to the emergency department for vomiting and diarrhea. She was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, treated with antibiotics and anti-emetics and discharged. Within four hours, her symptoms recurred, followed by decreasing responsiveness and seizures. She had significant hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, and a combined respiratory and metabolic acidosis. A sibling then mentioned that the patient ingested their father's 200 mg sustained-release theophylline tablets the previous morning. A serum theophylline level was immediately ordered and returned >444 µmol/L. The patient was intubated and treated with activated charcoal, antiemetics, potassium and intravenous fluids. She underwent continuous renal replacement therapy and her levels declined over the next 24 hours. She was extubated on hospital day 2 and discharged without sequelae. Theophylline ingestions are rare but potentially very serious. Physicians need to know how to diagnose and treat these ingestions.