A Case of Transient Hyperlactatemia Induced by Intravenous Glycerol Administration in a Patient With Brain Trauma.

Elevated lactate levels are associated with a poor prognosis in patients with sepsis and shock. Intravenous glycerol administration is often used in Japan to treat patients with acute stroke or brain trauma, but such treatment can cause elevated lactate levels. We experienced a case of transient hyperlactatemia induced by intravenous glycerol administration in a patient with brain trauma. A 74-year-old woman underwent decompressive craniotomy because of loss of consciousness and brain edema. Glycerol was administered after the operation for management of the brain edema. Although the patient's hemodynamics remained stable, her lactate level decreased and increased repeatedly. We recognized that the elevation in her lactate level was associated with the administration of intravenous glycerol. This case suggests that intravenous glycerol administration can induce transient hyperlactatemia.

Occupational radiation dose on the hand of assisting medical staff in diagnostic CT scans.

Chronic radiation exposure increases the risk of skin damage of medical personnel engaged in radiology. However, hand dose measurements in computed tomography (CT) for diagnostic purposes have not been evaluated. The occupational radiation dose to the hands of CT assistants was herein investigated to evaluate its compliance with the equivalent dose limit for the hand (500 mSv/year). The occupational doses of nine CT assistants were measured in 89 cases (April 2017-May 2018) by installing radio-photoluminescence glass dosemeters (GD-302 M) (70-µm dose-equivalent conversion coefficient = 0.37) on the dorsal aspect of both hands. The occupational dose to the hand was the highest with head holding (right: 1.14 mSv/CT scan, left: 1.07 mSv/CT scan). Considering the results for annual work, even for head holding, the hand dose of the CT-assisting personnel was insignificant. However, CT assistants should be mindful of the possibility of locally higher doses to hands.

CONTRIBUTION OF ORGAN-BASED TUBE CURRENT MODULATION TO THE REDUCTION OF LENS EXPOSURE DOSE IN HEAD 4D CT IMAGING: A PHANTOM STUDY.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of organ effect modulation (OEM) in reducing the lens dose in 4D computed tomography (CT) of the head in volume-acquisition (NVA) mode. Six radiophotoluminescent dosemeters were placed on the head of a RANDO phantom. The doses absorbed by the organs and image noise change rate were determined. The lens doses without OEM (i.e. in the OEMoff case) were higher than those with the same target standard deviation and volume-computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) as in the OEMoff case (p < 0.01). The image noise change rate was 11%. OEM reduced the lens dose during head 4D CT imaging in the NVA mode by 18%. Furthermore, the feasibility of lens dose reduction while ensuring sufficient image quality was confirmed under the condition in which OEM was employed with the same CTDIvol as in the OEMoff case.

Association between early diagnosis of and inpatient mortality from invasive pulmonary aspergillosis among patients without immunocompromised host factors: a nationwide observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) among patients without immunocompromised host factors (ICHF) has been described extensively. However, its diagnosis remains challenging. To date, no study has statistically confirmed the efficacy of early IPA diagnosis in patients without ICHF. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on mortality from IPA among patients without ICHF, using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination National Inpatient Database (April 2014-March 2018). The early diagnosis group was defined according to antifungal therapy initiation within 7 days of hospital admission. The delayed diagnosis group was defined according to antifungal therapy initiation between 8 and 28 days of the hospitalization. Associations were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 423 patients were registered (early diagnosis group, n = 262, 62%). The early diagnosis group had a lower mortality rate (30%) than the delayed diagnosis group (42%). The early diagnosis group that was treated with voriconazole was associated with lower odds of mortality (odds ratio 0.55, 95% confidence interval 0.31-0.99, P = 0.047). An age of ≥65 years and mechanical ventilation were associated with a higher mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis along with optimal antifungal treatment are crucial for achieving favorable outcomes among patients with IPA without ICHF.

[A Case of Methemoglobinemia Caused by Toluidine Revelation with Dyspnea and Cyanosis].

Toluidine is a known cause of bladder cancer, but it is less widely recognized as a cause of methemoglobinemia because methemoglobinemia is rare. We herein report a case of methemoglobinemia caused by toluidine in a 50-year-old man. A solution of toluidine overflowed from its container during transportation and adhered to the man's clothes, but he drove to his workplace 100 km away without changing his clothes or undergoing decontamination. Before arriving at his workplace, he developed dyspnea and called emergency services, and he was then transported to a local hospital. He had significant cyanosis upon arrival, and arterial blood gas analysis revealed a high methemoglobin level of 44%. He was diagnosed with toluidine-induced methemoglobinemia and was transported to our hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Treatment for methemoglobinemia was started immediately after hospitalization, and the patient's symptoms and methemoglobin level improved. Methemoglobinemia should be considered in workers who handle toluidine and develop cyanosis and dyspnea.

Occupational radiation dose to the lens of the eye of medical staff who assist in diagnostic CT scans.

PURPOSE: We investigated occupational dose to the lens of the eye for CT-assisting personnel for diagnostic purposes using a radio-photoluminescent glass dosimeter (RPLD) and evaluate compliance with the new equivalent dose limit for the lens of the eye (20 mSv/year). Further, we proposed the implementation of "multiple protective measures" and estimated its effect. METHOD: An eye lens dosimeter clip was developed specifically to attach RPLDs inside radiation safety glasses in an L-shape. Using a total of six RPLDs attached to the radiation safety glasses, the 3-mm dose-equivalent (Hp(3)) to the lens of the eye for medical staff (n = 11; 6 intensive care physicians, 2 pediatricians, 3 radiological technologists) who assisted patients during CT scan for "diagnostic" purpose (n = 91) was measured. We evaluated the dose reduction efficiencies with radiation safety glasses and bag-valve-mask extension tube. We also estimated the protection efficiency with radiation protection curtain introduced in front of the staff's face via the phantom experiment. RESULTS: Without wearing radiation safety glasses, Hp(3) to the lens of the eye was greatest for intensive care physicians (0.49 mSv/procedure; allowing 40 procedures to be performed annually), followed by pediatricians (0.30 mSv/procedure; 66 procedures annually) and radiological technologists (0.28 mSv/procedure; 71 procedures annually). Use of each type of protective tools: radiation safety glasses (0.07-mm-Pb), bag-valve-mask extension tube (20 cm) and radiation protective curtain (0.25-mm-Pb), reduced Hp(3) to the lens of the eye by 51%, 31% and 61%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Intensive care physicians perform most assisted ventilations with the bag-valve-mask during "diagnostic" CT scans, and may exceed the equivalent dose limit for the lens of the eye if radiation safety glasses are not worn. If "multiple protective measures" are implemented, compliance with the equivalent dose limit for the lens of the eye should be achievable without placing significant burdens on physicians or medical institutions.

Age-dependent influence of premorbid underweight status on mortality in severe burn patients: An administrative database study.

PURPOSE: To examine the associations between premorbid nutritional status and in-hospital mortality in severe burn patients according to age in Japan. METHODS: We retrospectively extracted the data of 14,345 patients aged 18-84 years admitted for burns from April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2018, using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. The exclusion criteria were out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, death in the emergency room, readmission, and planned admission. We collected data on age, sex, height, weight, comorbidities, burn index, and mechanical ventilation use and performed age-stratified multilevel logistic regression analyses to estimate associations between premorbid body mass index (BMI) and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: We analyzed 2968 patients with a burn index ≥10, including 831 elderly aged 75-84 years. In patients aged 18-74 years, being underweight (BMI < 18.5) significantly decreased mortality (0.34 [0.15-0.77]; P = 0.010). In contrast, in patients aged 75-84 years, being underweight significantly increased mortality (2.11 [1.05-4.25]; P = 0.036). Being overweight (BMI >25) increased mortality in both age groups, but not significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that pre-morbidly underweight elderly patients aged 75-84 years with severe burns have high mortality risks. Further research is needed to identify optimal care strategies for this population.

Dynamics of microbiota during mechanical ventilation in aspiration pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens is an urgent health-related problem, and the appropriate use of antibiotics is imperative. It is often difficult to identify the causative bacteria in patients with aspiration pneumonia because tracheal aspirate contains contaminants of oral bacteria. We investigated the dynamics of microbiota in mechanically ventilated patients with aspiration pneumonia to develop a treatment strategy. METHODS: Twenty-two intubated patients with aspiration pneumonia were recruited. Saliva and tracheal aspirate of the subjects were collected at three time points: (A) within 2 h after intubation, (B) just before administration of antibiotics, and (C) 48-72 h after administration of antibiotics. The microbiota in each specimen was analyzed by using the 16S rRNA gene clone library sequencing method. Bacterial floras of the samples were analyzed by principal component analysis. RESULTS: Principal component analysis based on the composition of genus revealed that although the changes of microbiota in the saliva from (A) to (B) were not clear, the composition of anaerobes in the tracheal aspirate (B) was lower than (A). In fact, the reduction of anaerobes, not in the saliva but in the tracheal aspirate from (A) to (B), was confirmed by incident rate ratios estimated by a multilevel Poisson regression model (p < 0.001). The extent of decrease in anaerobes was fully dependent on the time difference between the sampling of tracheal aspirate (A) and (B)-in particular, over 3 h of mechanical ventilation. This indicates that the alterations of microbiota (involving the reduction of anaerobes in the lower respiratory tract) occurred during mechanical ventilation prior to the administration of antibiotics. After the administration of antibiotics, Enterobacter spp., Corynebacterium spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Granulicatera adiacens were predominantly detected in the tracheal aspirate (C). CONCLUSION: The microbiota of the lower respiratory tract changes dynamically during mechanical ventilation and during the administration of antibiotics in intubated patients with aspiration pneumonia. Antibiotics should be selected on the premise that dynamic changes in microbiota (involved in the reduction of anaerobes) may occur during the mechanical ventilation in these patients.

Usefulness of Fibrinogen/Fibrin Degradation Products Value in Differential Diagnosis Between Acute Ischemic Stroke and Acute Aortic Dissection.

A post-marketing surveillance study reported fatalities following tissue plasminogen activator administration in acute aortic dissection (AAD) with the symptoms of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Therefore, it is important to discriminate AAD from AIS. The present study aimed to investigate whether fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products (FDP) value can be useful in differential diagnosis between AAD and AIS. The study group comprised 20 AAD patients (10 men and 10 women; age 63.9 ± 13.6 years) and 159 AIS patients (91 men and 68 women; age 74.2 ± 10.6 years) who were transported to our hospital from 2007 to 2012. The AAD cases were further divided into patent-type AAD and thrombosed-type AAD. FDP values were significantly higher in the AAD group than in the AIS group (18.15 [5.2 - 249.9] µg/ml vs. 2.3 [1.5 - 4.45] µg/ml ; P < 0.001). In AAD groups, FDP values were significantly higher in the patent-type AAD group (n = 9) than in the thrombosed type AAD group (n = 11) (293.2 µg/ml [63.1 - 419.6 µg/ml ] vs. 5.6 µg/ml [3.8 - 7.9 µg/ml ]. FDP values were significantly higher in patients with AAD than in those with AIS, especially those with patent-type AAD compared with AIS patients. High FDP values may be a useful marker for differential diagnosis between patent-type AAD and AIS.

A Case of Infectious Enterocolitis with Hyperammonemia.

Case reports of hyperammonemia due to urease-producing bacteria are found occasionally, but most of them are associated with urinary tract infections. We experienced a case of infectious enterocolitis with hyperammonemia in which the causative bacteria was speculated to be urease-producing bacteria. A Japanese woman in her 70s had been diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis in a nearby hospital and was transferred to our hospital. Although the microscopic polyangiitis was relatively under control after treatment with steroids and rituximab, frequent diarrhea with hyperammonemia (324 µg/dl) appeared and she became comatose. Her blood ammonia decreased to 47 µg/dl and her consciousness recovered to a normal state after antibiotic treatment for infectious enterocolitis and ammonia detoxification therapy. Liver dysfunction, portosystemic shunt, excessive protein intake and constipation were not observed, and she took no medications that would cause hyperammonemia. Although culture results could not identify urease-producing bacteria, considering the clinical course, acute hyperammonemia was suspected to be due to urease-producing bacteria infection. It is necessary to consider the influence of urease-producing bacteria as a cause of acute hyperammonemia not only in urinary tract infections but also in infective enterocolitis.

The first fatal case of Corynebacterium ulcerans infection in Japan.

Introduction.Corynebacterium ulcerans (C. ulcerans) is a zoonotic pathogen that occasionally causes diphtheria-like symptoms in humans. Cases of C. ulcerans infection have been increasing in recent years, and C. ulcerans has been recognized as an emerging pathogen. Case presentation. Here we report a case of asphyxia death due to pseudomembrane caused by diphtheria toxin (DT)-producing C. ulcerans. This is, to our knowledge, the first fatal case of C. ulcerans infection in Japan. A strain of C. ulcerans was obtained from the patient's pet cat and was confirmed to be identical to the patient's isolate by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and the DT gene, by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and by ribotyping. In the same way, it was revealed that the isolate in this case belonged to the same molecular type as the C. ulcerans 0102 isolated from the first case in Japan in a distant prefecture 15 years earlier, in 2001. Conclusion. DT-producing C. ulcerans can be contracted from a companion animal and causes human death if the appropriate treatment is delayed. The finding indicates that this molecular type of virulent C. ulcerans is currently widespread in Japan.

[Drug Therapy for Shock-Resistant Ventricular Fibrillation: Comparison of Nifekalant and Amiodarone].

Early direct current (DC) shock is the most important therapy for ventricular fibrillation. Following the increased availability of automated external defibrillators (AED), the survival rate of cardiopulmonary arrest patients with ventricular fibrillation has improved. Although patients with shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation require additional antiarrhythmic drug therapy, the optimal protocol has not been established. Nifekalant is a pure potassium channel blocker with a pyrimidinedione structure. Nifekalant was approved in Japan for the treatment of life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias in 1999, and is widely used as a class III antiarrhythmic intravenous drug. Intravenous amiodarone was approved in Japan in 2007, and exhibits various effects on ion channels, receptors, sympathetic activity, and thyroid function. Nifekalant and amiodarone also exhibit many pharmacological and pharmacodynamic differences. As nifekalant has no negative inotropic effect and a rapid action and clearance with a short half-life, it has some advantages over amiodarone for use in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Indeed, data from clinical and animal studies suggest that nifekalant is superior to amiodarone for resuscitation of cardiopulmonary arrest resulting from shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation. A 300-mg bolus intravenous injection of amiodarone is considered an overdose for resuscitation of shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation. Further clinical studies are required to evaluate the effects of nifekalant compared with amiodarone, and to determine the optimal dose of amiodaone, for resuscitation of shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation.

Press-through package mis-swallowing: Usefulness of computed tomography.

Case: An 88-year-old female with Alzheimer's-type dementia who mis-swallowed a press-through package visited our emergency department. Outcome: Plain radiography detected no foreign bodies, whereas plain computed tomography showed an elliptical body with a high density in the lower esophagus. The press-through package containing a tablet in the esophagogastric junction was successfully removed without severe complications using the endoscopic protector hood. In cases of press-through package mis-swallowing, it is important for emergency physicians to make an early and correct diagnosis of the location of the package, which shows high radiolucency. Based on the results of this case, we hypothesize that carrying out early computed tomography examinations is useful for identifying swallowed press-through packages. Our retrospective investigation showed that computed tomography has a sensitivity of 100% for detecting press-through packages. Conclusion: We experienced a case of press-through package mis-swallowing diagnosed on computed tomography. We recommend performing computed tomography examinations, especially in patients with an uncertain history and unclear symptoms.

A rare case of acquired methemoglobinemia associated with alkaptonuria.

We herein present a rare case of acquired methemoglobinemia associated with alkaptonuria. Alkaptonuria is a congenital error of metabolism caused by the deficiency of homogentisic acid oxidase, which subsequently results in the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) in body tissues. As renal dysfunction progresses, the level of HGA excretion in the urine decreases and the blood concentration of HGA increases. HGA oxidizes oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin, which can induce multiple organ failure accompanied by tissue hypoxia, intravascular hemolysis and metabolic acidosis. The mortality of this disease is high when alkaptonuria is associated with the presence of methemoglobinemia; therefore, treatment should be carefully planned in such cases.

[Examination of relationship between lactate clearance and neurologic outcome in cardiac arrest induced by ventricular fibrillation].

A significant relationship between lactate clearance and mortality rates in cardiac arrest cases has been reported. However, the relationship between lactate clearance and neurologic outcomes in cardiac arrest cases is not clear. We examined lactate clearance in cardiac arrest cases induced by ventricular fibrillation. We investigated 13 patients with cardiac arrest induced by ventricular fibrillation from April, 2006 to March, 2012 in which therapeutic hypothermia was performed. Patients were classified into two groups: those with a favorable neurologic outcome (n=7) and those with a poor outcome (n=6). We compared lactate clearance levels between the two groups. There was no significant difference in lactate concentrations at admission and 8 or 24 hours lactate clearance between the two groups 8 or 24 hours after admission. This result suggests we may not predict the neurologic outcome of cardiac arrest cases induced by ventricular fibrillation using lactate clearance.

Comparison of nifekalant and amiodarone for resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest resulting from shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation.

PURPOSE: Nifekalant is a pure potassium channel blocker that has been used to treat ventricular tachyarrhythmias since 1999 in Japan. Intravenous amiodarone was approved later than nifekalant in Japan, and it is still unclear which of the two agents is superior. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of nifekalant and amiodarone for resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest caused by shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation. METHODS: From December 2005 to January 2011, ambulance services transported 283 out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest patients to our hospital. Of these, 25 patients were treated with nifekalant or amiodarone in response to ventricular fibrillation that was resistant to two or more shocks. We undertook a retrospective analysis of these 25 patients. RESULTS: We enrolled 20 men and 5 women with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 61.1 ± 16.4 years. All 25 patients were treated with tracheal intubation and intravenous epinephrine. Fourteen patients received nifekalant and 11 patients received amiodarone. The rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (nifekalant, 5/14, versus amiodarone, 4/11; P = 0.97) and survival to discharge (nifekalant, 4/14, versus amiodarone, 2/11; P = 0.89) were not significantly different between the two groups. The time from nifekalant or amiodarone administration to ROSC was 6.0 ± 6.6 and 20.3 ± 10.0 min, respectively, which was significantly different (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this small sample size study, nifekalant, compared with amiodarone, is equally effective for ROSC and survival to discharge after shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation and can achieve ROSC more quickly. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm our results.

[A case of accidental hypothermia caused by cervical spinal cord injury].

Accidental hypothermia is the state in which body temperature falls due for exposure to a chilly environment. In accidental hypothermia, the mortality rate is higher the lower the body temperature. We report a case of a consciousness disorder and severe hypothermia, with a body temperature below 28 degrees C, in which it later became clear that a cervical spinal cord injury had been caused by a small external force. A 70-year-old woman was transported to our hospital in an ambulance for consciousness disturbance and severe hypothermia. At the time of arrival, her rectal temperature was 26.2 degrees C. We promptly performed rewarming. Her consciousness level became clear, but paralysis and diminished sensation were observed below the C5 domain. We suspected cervical spinal cord injury and performed cervical magnetic resonance imaging. She was diagnosed as having C5 cervical spinal cord injury. When there is a consciousness disorder due to accidental hypothermia, it might not be possible to evaluate the neurological value of the cervical spinal cord injury correctly. The presence of cervical spinal cord injury should be considered when patients have a decreased consciousness level due to hypothermia.

[Relationship between occupational health and emergency medicine].

The primary aim for occupational health care is to appropriately control risks related to health problems arising in workplace environments which are caused by work methods. Lowering risks might not always prevent accidents or illnesses; but initial treatment after an accident or of ill workers is crucial work for occupational health care staff. By implementing appropriate initial treatment, it is possible to increase the survival rate of workplace accidents and decrease the rate of illness. Crisis management at the time of an accident is a very important function of occupational health. Thus there is a close relationship between occupational health care and emergency medicine.

[A case of acalcuous cholecystitis developed after cardiopulmonary resuscitation].

A 47-year-old man was found at his home in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest. His family performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him. He was brought to our hospital by ambulance. On arrival, his pupils were dilated and his heart was in a state of ventricular fibrillation. After returning to spontaneous circulation by the cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the electrocardiogram revealed ST elevation at V2-V5. Cardiac catheterizatin revealed a left anterior descending coronary obstruction. Percutaneous coronary angioplasty was performed. On the 26th day after admission, acalculous cholecystitis was found. It was difficult to perform emergent surgery, because the patient was taking an anticoagulant drug. We performed PTGBA (percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder aspiration) on the same day, and the gallbladder inflammation was improved. We consider that PTGBA is an effective treatment for difficult cases of acalcuous cholecystitis.

[A case of multiple trauma with sinking skull, whose life was saved by consistent team medical treatment].

A 54 year old man was brought to our hospital by ambulance. He had been injured by falling heavy steel. An examination was performed, and he was diag nosed as having sinking skull, acute extradural hematoma, trauma of the righ eye, right eye laceration, injury of the optic canal (right blind), and multipl fractures. Open fractures were observed in the right ring finger and little finger Simple fractures were observed in the zygomatic bone nasal bone and maxillary bone. An emergency operation (external skeletal fixation, taxis of the skull and maxillary bone, extradural hematoma depletion, suture of right eyelid) was performed. His life was saved by consistent team treatment from preoperation t postoperation. He was discharged from our hospital on foot at 45 days after th operation.