Altered behavior with an organic cause: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Insulinomas are pancreatic endocrine tumors of rare incidence worldwide, the vast majority are of single occurrence and benign. These may not always present with the clear symptoms described in the literature and may be overlooked because their neuroglycopenic characteristics present in a fashion similar to some psychiatric conditions. CASE REPORT: A 50-year-old Hispanic man referred severe psychomotor symptoms, described as anxiety, aggressiveness, agitation, weakness, diaphoresis, and decreased visual acuity. Laboratory testing performed during his last episode revealed increased insulin levels and C-peptide among other findings. Imaging, biopsy, and histopathologic analysis confirmed an insulinoma was the cause of the symptoms, proving the importance of ruling out organic causes of altered mental status prior to consideration of psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSION: It is of critical importance to rule out organic causes of altered mental status prior to consideration of psychiatric disorders, as unusual diseases may be overlooked by physicians and be detrimental to the patient's progress.

Alteración del estado de conciencia en el paciente intoxicado / Alterations in the state of consciousness in intoxicated patients / Alteração do estado de consciência no paciente intoxicado

La disminución del estado de conciencia, específicamente el coma, es un motivo de consulta frecuente en el servicio de urgencias y constituye un reto para el personal de salud por el número de condiciones amenazantes de la vida que se acompañan de este signo clínico. La toxicidad en el sistema nervioso central es una de las manifestaciones más comunes en el paciente intoxicado por cuanto se han encontrado signos y síntomas hasta en un 30%. Este porcentaje es considerable en personas en edad laboral pues la morbilidad derivada de un retraso en la atención y las lesiones secundarias, implican repercusiones sociales. Según su acción en el sistema nervioso central los xenobióticos se dividen en dos grupos: estimulantes que causan agitación, delirium o convulsiones y depresores que provocan grados variables de alteración en el estado de conciencia, desde la somnolencia hasta el coma. El propósito de este artículo es revisar las sustancias depresoras, con enfoque en el coma de origen tóxico. Además de la fisiopatología y los principales tóxicos implicados, se plantea, con base en la evidencia, la mejor aproximación a esta clase de pacientes con el objeto de favorecer el uso razonable de los recursos disponibles y evitar complicaciones y disminuir costos al sistema de salud.

Depression of consciousness ­ coma, specifically ­ is a frequent complaint in the emergency room consultation and is a challenge for health personnel, considering the number of life-threatening conditions that may be associated with this clinical sign. Toxicity in the central nervous system is one of the most common manifestations in the poisoned patient, where signs and symptoms have been found in up to 30%. This percentage is significant in working-age individuals as morbidity resulting from a delay in care and secondary lesions involves a social impact. According to their effect on the central nervous system, xenobiotics can be divided into two groups: stimulants that cause states of agitation, delirium or convulsions, and depressants that cause varying degrees of alteration in the state of consciousness, anywhere from drowsiness to coma. The purpose of this article was to review depressants, focusing on coma induced by intoxication. In addition to reviewing the pathophysiology and the main toxic substances involved, we consider the best approach to this class of patients based on the evidence, in order to favor the reasonable use of resources available, while avoiding complications and reducing health system costs.

A diminuição do estado de consciência, especificamente o coma, é um motivo de consulta frequente no serviço de urgências e constitui um desafio para o pessoal de saúde pelo número de condições ameaçantes da vida que se acompanham deste signo clínico. A toxicidade no sistema nervoso central é uma das manifestações mais comuns no paciente intoxicado pelo que se há encontrado signos e sintomas até num 30%. Esta porcentagem é considerável em pessoas em idade ativa pois a morbidez derivada de um retraso na atenção e as lesões secundárias, implicam repercussões sociais. Segundo sua ação no sistema nervoso central os xenobióticos se dividem em dois grupos: estimulantes que causam agitação, delirium ou convulsões e depressores que provocam graus variáveis de alteração no estado de consciência, desde a sonolência até o coma. O propósito deste artigo é revisar as substâncias depressoras, com enfoque no coma de origem tóxico. Ademais da fisiopatologia e os principais tóxicos implicados, se propõe, com base na evidência, a melhor aproximação a esta classe de pacientes com o objeto de favorecer o uso razoável dos recursos disponíveis e evitar complicações e diminuir custos ao sistema de saúde.

School Nurses on the Front Lines of Medicine: Uppers and Downers: The Approach to the Student With Altered Mental Status.

Although a student presenting with altered mental status due to substance use may occur infrequently in the school setting, it is of utmost importance to develop a differential diagnosis and to initiate stabilization of the student. This article describes the initial assessment and management of a student presenting with altered mental status, focusing on the differential diagnosis of altered mental status, on the varying presentations associated with common intoxications and ingestions, and on the screening tools available for the detection of depression and substance use.

Aspectos puntuales del estado vegetativo persistente / Specific aspects of the persistent vegetative state

El estado vegetativo persistente es una condición clínica caracterizada por la ausencia completa de conciencia sobre uno mismo y el entorno, unido a ciclos de sueño-vigilia, con preservación total o parcial de las funciones hipotalámicas y autonómicas del tallo encefálico. En el presente artículo, el autor discute aspectos puntuales sobre la entidad clínica, basado en su experiencia y en la revisión de la bibliografía sobre el tema; igualmente se exponen elementos clínicos y epidemiológicos de la afección, se propone una clasificación causal, y se enuncian los criterios de la Multisociety Task Force on Persistent Vegetative State para realizar el diagnóstico, así como los exámenes complementarios, que se dividen en estudios imagenológicos y electrofisiológicos. De los hallazgos anatomopatológicos se resaltan 3 patrones fundamentales: lesiones bilaterales y difusas de la corteza cerebral, daños difusos de las conexiones intra- y subcorticales de la sustancia blanca de los hemisferios cerebrales, y necrosis del tálamo; mientras que del tratamiento se proponen 2 pilares básicos: tratar la enfermedad de base y ofrecer cuidados generales. Entre los fármacos -- clasificados en 2 categorías: depresores y estimulantes del sistema nervioso -- se destaca el zolpidem, que ha mostrado los mejores resultados. Finalmente, se plantea que en Cuba se defiende que estos pacientes pueden ser asistidos en la atención primaria de salud.

The persistent vegetative state is a clinical condition characterized by the complete absence of consciousness of oneself and the environment, linked with sleep-wake cycles, with total or partial preservation of hypothalamic and autonomic functions of the brainstem. In this article the author discusses specific aspects related to the clinical entity, based on his experience and literature survey on the subject. Also, clinical and epidemiological elements of the condition are stated, a causal classification is proposed, and the criteria of the Multisociety Task Force on Persistent Vegetative State for diagnosis are set, as well as complementary tests, which are divided in imaging and electrophysiological studies. Of the pathological findings three fundamental patterns are stressed: diffuse bilateral lesions of the cerebral cortex, diffuse damages of white matter intracortical and subcortical connections of the cerebral hemispheres, and necrosis of the thalamus, whereas two basic treatment mainstays are proposed: to treat underlying condition and provide general care. Among the drugs --classified in 2 categories: depressants and stimulants of the nervous system-- zolpidem is highlighted, which has shown the best results. Finally, it is stated that in Cuba it is argued that these patients can be treated at the primary health care.