Rapid Response: To Scan or Not to Scan? The Utility of Noncontrast CT Head for Altered Mental Status.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were the following: (1) to determine how often computed tomography (CT) scans of the head are obtained on rapid responses called for altered mental status (AMS), (2) to determine whether CT imaging of the head is required during all rapid responses called for AMS, (3) to determine which patients would benefit from CT scans of the head in this setting, (4) to note whether an adequate neurologic exam was documented, (5) to determine the cost of CT scans that did not change management, and (6) to examine the role of medications leading to AMS. METHODS: The study was a retrospective chart review at Abington Jefferson Hospital. Data collected included the age, sex, time of rapid response, clinical condition of the patient, whether an arterial blood gas and blood glucose were done, and whether a neurological exam was documented in the resident's rapid response team note. The patien's medications were also reviewed. Computed tomography scan findings as well as changes made in a patient's care as a result of the scan were recorded. Any findings that did not lead to a change in management were considered a "negative" scan. RESULTS: Overall, 610 rapid responses were activated from January to August 2016. One hundred four (17.04%) of the total rapid responses were for AMS and 83 (79.8%) of these patients underwent noncontrast CT scan of the head. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 74.7 (13.6) years. A total of 56.6% were female. The most frequent clinical conditions documented at the time of rapid responses were noted as confused (33.7%, 28/83), either lethargic or unconscious (32.5%, 27/83), and concern for stroke (21.7%, 18/83). A total of 96.4% (80/83) of the CT scans done were negative for any acute changes. The three patients with positive scans (3/83) had a change in management as a result of the scans. If patients with symptoms concerning for stroke and unconscious patients are excluded, the total number of remaining patients is 56. Of these, zero patients had a positive scan. A total of 64.7% of the rapid response teams were activated either in the afternoon (31.3%) or at night (33.7%). A total of 33.7% had a complete neurological exam documented. A total of 66.2% were either incomplete (34.9%) or absent (31.3%). Sixty percent of the patients who had a CT head for AMS also had a blood sugar checked at bedside. Thirty-eight percent had an arterial blood gas. More than half the patients were taking one or more sedating medications (45/83, 57.8%). Most patients were not on anticoagulants (79.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that CT scan of the head is useful in older patients, patients with symptoms concerning for stroke, or cases of sudden onset of impaired consciousness. Noncontrast CT scans of the head are not useful for other presentations of AMS.

Pattern of injury in fatal road traffic accidents in a rural area of western Maharashtra, India.

BACKGROUND: Fatal road traffic accidents (RTA) are a major cause of concern all over the world. The outcome of injuries sustained in an RTA depends on various factors including but not limited to: the location of the event, type of vehicle involved, nature of the roads, the time of accident, etc. AIMS: This study aims to investigate and evaluate prospectively the socio-demographic profile and pattern of injuries in victims of RTA in the rural area of the Ahmedanagar district of Maharashtra state. METHOD: This prospective study included all victims of RTA that presented to our emergency room from 1 June 2007 to 31 May 2009 and were either found dead on arrival or died during treatment. All the victims were autopsied at the post-mortem centre of Rural Medical College, Loni. RESULTS: Ninety-eight RTA victims were studied during the period. The most commonly affected age group was 20-39 years. Men died in RTA more than women. Fatal RTA were more prevalent on the secondary road system (47.97 per cent) and especially involved pedestrian and two wheeler vehicle users. Large numbers (n=63, 64.28%) of victims either died on the scene or during transportation. Numbers of skeletal injuries (199) and internal organ injuries (202) exceeded the total number of victims (98) clearly indicating the multiplicity of injuries. The majority of RTA victims (n=46, 46.93%) died due to head injury. The study showed that most deaths in RTA, brought to a tertiary care rural hospital, took place either on the spot or within 24 hours of injury which is very alarming and highlights the need to take urgent steps to establish good pre-hospital care and provision of trauma services at site. CONCLUSION: A computerised trauma registry is urgently needed to highlight risk factors, circumstances and chains of events leading to accidents. This would be extremely helpful in policy making and health management in India.

An unusual case of congenital melanocytic nevus presenting as neurocutaneous melanoma coexisting with Tuberous Sclerosis complex: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital melanocytic nevi are among the several known risk factors for the development of melanoma. Neurocutaneous melanosis is a rare, congenital, non-hereditary disorder characterized by the presence of multiple and/or giant congenital melanocytic nevi. It is a rare condition, with fewer than 200 cases reported in the literature. Its association with tuberous sclerosis complex, a form of the neurocutaneous syndrome, is an unusual finding which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been documented in the English literature so far. Herein we present the first case documenting such an association in a 16-year-old post-pubertal Indian girl. CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, we describe the case of a 16-year-old Indian girl who presented to our hospital with swelling on the scalp which had progressed from the hairline to just above the left brow, causing mechanical ptosis. She was born with a black-pigmented triangular patch covered with hair over the scalp which had increased in size over a period of eight years after birth. An X-ray of her skull and ultrasonography revealed soft tissue swelling in the left temporofrontoparietal region. Magnetic resonance imaging of her brain showed the presence of 8.99 cm × 2.26 cm abnormal signal intensity involving the scalp, a few small tubers with cortical dysplasia in the left frontoparietal region with asymmetric dilatation, and the presence of calcified subependymal nodules within the left lateral ventricle. These findings were suggestive of tuberous sclerosis. A histopathological examination of the swelling was suggestive of congenital melanocytic nevi. The patient underwent surgery. Excision of the tumor with primary skin grafting was done, with the graft being taken from the medial aspect of the right thigh. CONCLUSION: This case warrants further research to provide concrete evidence of an association of neurocutaneous melanoma with tuberous sclerosis complex. Research should be conducted to prove whether this is an unusual association or a new syndrome. Also, similar cases in other parts of the globe should be documented, as they would provide substantial support for such an association.