Hair-thread tourniquet syndrome originating from a haemangioma in an adult patient.

Hair-thread tourniquet syndrome is an emergency condition rarely encountered since its first description, and it may be potentially dangerous unless treated. The potential hazard of the condition stems from hair strands wrapping around and strangulating various body processes such as fingers, penis, or clitoris. In this paper we aimed to report the first case of hair-thread tourniquet syndrome affecting a haemangioma of an adult patient. A 68-year-old woman presented to emergency department for pain in the mass on her back. On physical examination, a haemangioma with a size of about 3x3 cm was noted on the right scapula. When inspected closely, it appeared edematous and strangulated, and there were hair strands wrapped to the bottom of the wound. The hair strands were removed and the strangulated haemangioma was excised.

Management of thoracic trauma in emergency service: Analysis of 1139 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic trauma is a common cause of significant morbidity and mortality. This study presents a series of thoracic trauma with the aim to assess epidemiologic features, distribution of pathologies, additional systemic injuries, diagnosis, management and outcome. METHODOLOGY: Between January 2007 and December 2011, all patients with thorax trauma admitted to the emergency service of our hospital were retrospectively reviewed with respect to age, gender, etiological factors, distribution of pathologies, additional systemic injuries, diagnosis, treatment modalities, referral and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 1139 patients with thorax trauma were included in the study. Of these, 698 (61.3%) were male and 441 (38.7%) were female, and the average age was 54.17±17.39 years. 1090 (95.7%) of the patients had blunt trauma, whereas 49 (4.3%) had penetrating trauma. Etiological factors were falls in 792 (69.5%), motor vehicle accidents in 259 (22.8%), animal related accidents in 39 (3.4%) and penetrating injuries in 49 (4.2%) patients. It was found that 229 (20%) patients had single, 101 (8.9%) had double, 5 (3%) had three or more, 10 (0.9%) had bilateral rib fractures and 19 (1.7%) had sternal fracture. Pneumothorax was diagnosed in 58 (5.1%) patients, whereas hemothorax, hemopneuomothorax and other system injuries were diagnosed in 36 (3.2%), 38(3.3%) and 292 (25.6%) respectively. In our series, thirteen patients (mortality rate 1.1%) died as result of hemorrhagic shock (n=8), respiratory distress (n=3) and severe multiple trauma (n=2). CONCLUSION: Although majority of the patients with thorax trauma receive treatment as outpatients; thoracic traumas may be a life threatening condition, and should be identified and treated immediately. Mortality varies based on etiological factors, additional systemic pathologies, capabilities of the hospital especially diagnostic and treatment facilities in emergency services. We believe that a multidisciplinary approach to the patients with severe thorax trauma, and the opportunities of emergency bedside thoracotomy in emergency services will significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality.

Local Anesthetics, Clinical Uses, and Toxicity: Recognition and Management.

Local anesthetic (LA) compounds decrease the permeability of the ion channels to sodium, which in turn, diminishes the rate of depolarization. These agents (a.k.a. -caines) are also used to depress mucosal sensations, e.g., gag reflex in the form of topical anesthetics. Overdose of LA can lead to local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST), which is the precursor of potentially lethal consequences on clinical grounds. There is a wide array of possible presentations of LAST, from mild findings, such as temporary hypertensive events, to serious conditions, including refractory cardiac dysfunction, dysrhythmias and prearrest situations. Lidocaine, prilocaine, mepivacaine, ropivacaine, and bupivacaine are among the most commonly used members of the family. The agents' dosages should be adjusted in children, elderly and fragile individuals and those with organ failures, as the metabolism of the compounds will be impaired. The ideal body weight, along with hepatic and renal functional reserves, will have an impact on elimination kinetics. Systemic absorption is an untoward consequence of LA administration which deserves every means of prevention. Intravenous lipid emulsion is an important life-saving treatment in severe, life-threatening cases. This narrative review article is designed to cover the clinical uses of LA in children, recognition, and management of untoward effects of the agents, with special emphasis on the LAST.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Roles of Procalcitonin and Other Tools in Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Narrative Review.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is among the most common causes of death and one of the leading healthcare concerns worldwide. It can evolve into sepsis and septic shock, which have a high mortality rate, especially in critical patients and comorbidities. The definitions of sepsis were revised in the last decade as "life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection". Procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and complete blood count, including white blood cells, are among the most commonly analyzed sepsis-specific biomarkers also used in pneumonia in a broad range of studies. It appears to be a reliable diagnostic tool to expedite care of these patients with severe infections in the acute setting. PCT was found to be superior to most other acute phase reactants and indicators, including CRP as a predictor of pneumonia, bacteremia, sepsis, and poor outcome, although conflicting results exist. In addition, PCT use is beneficial to judge timing for the cessation of antibiotic treatment in most severe infectious states. The clinicians should be aware of strengths and weaknesses of known and potential biomarkers in expedient recognition and management of severe infections. This manuscript is intended to present an overview of the definitions, complications, and outcomes of CAP and sepsis in adults, with special regard to PCT and other important markers.

Procedural (Conscious) Sedation and Analgesia in Emergency Setting: How to Choose Agents?

Pain has long been defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience originating from any region of the body in the presence or absence of tissue injury. Physicians involved in acute medicine commonly undertake a variety of invasive and painful procedures that prompt procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA), which is a condition sparing the protective airway reflexes while depressing the patient's awareness of external stimuli. This state is achieved following obtaining the patient's informed consent, necessary point-ofcare monitoring, and complete recording of the procedures. The most commonly employed combination for PSA mostly comprises short-acting benzodiazepine (midazolam) and a potent opioid, such as fentanyl. The biggest advantage of opioids is that despite all the powerful effects, upper airway reflexes are preserved and often do not require intervention. Choices of analgesic and sedative agents should be strictly individualized and determined for the specific condition. The objective of this review article was to underline the characteristics, effectiveness, adverse effects, and pitfalls of the relevant drugs employed in adults to facilitate PSA in emergency procedures.

Knowledge levels regarding crimean-congo hemorrhagic Fever among emergency healthcare workers in an endemic region.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to determine knowledge levels regarding Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) among emergency healthcare workers (HCWs) in an endemic region. METHODS: A questionnaire form consisting of questions about CCHF was applied to the participants. RESULTS: The mean age was 29.6 ± 6.5 years (range 19 - 45). Fifty-four (49.5%) participants were physicians, 39 (35.8%) were nurses and 16 (14.7%) were paramedics. All of the participants were aware of CCHF, and 48 (44%) of them had previously followed CCHF patients. Rates of the use of protective equipment (masks and gloves) during interventions for patients who were admitted to the emergency service with active hemorrhage were 100% among paramedics, 76.9% among nurses and 61.1% among physicians (P = 0.003). Among 86 (78.9%) HCWs who believed that their knowledge regarding CCHF was adequate, 62 (56.9%) declared that they would prefer not to care for patients with CCHF (P = 0.608). CONCLUSIONS: The use of techniques to prevent transmission of this disease, including gloves, face masks, face visors and box coats, should be explained to emergency room HCWs, and encouragement should be provided for using these techniques.