Massive Chronic Hypernatremia Associated With Failure to Thrive in a Pediatric Patient.

Hypernatremia is a severe, potentially life-threatening condition that can manifest with altered mental status, coma, seizure, and even death. Values above 190 mmol/L are seldom reported in young pediatric patients and often have poor outcomes. We present a case of severe chronic hypernatremia secondary to failure to thrive (FTT) in a toddler, which led to significant pathology including bilateral metabolic strokes. A 21-month-old female was found unresponsive and brought to the hospital. The patient's childhood was complicated by prematurity, poor weight gain, and persistent postprandial emesis. On examination, the patient was tachycardic and obtunded. Her weight was below the first percentile. Initial laboratory results showed a sodium level of 197 mmol/L with marked dehydration. Normal saline boluses were given followed by maintenance fluids with the goal of sodium decrementation by 0.5 mmol/hour; nephrology assisted with fluid and electrolyte correction calculations. Imaging revealed metabolic strokes involving the brainstem and thalami. During hospitalization, hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia complicated the treatment course. Over the next 21 days, electrolytes normalized. She tolerated nasogastric feeding, gradually improved as she gained weight, and was discharged. Chronic hypernatremia must be fixed judiciously as rapid correction can cause significant harm. This unusual case reminds providers that florid electrolyte dyscrasias may be secondary to FTT and can lead to significant neurological sequelae. Careful fluid selection and calculations should be performed in these cases. Chronic hypernatremia should be considered in children with FTT with altered mental status, and the gradual correction of electrolytes should be performed to minimize patient harm.

Detectable Digoxin Concentrations in 3 Patients with Ramps Misadventure.

Allium tricoccum (commonly known as "ramps") is an edible plant known for its strong garlic-like odor and onion flavor. Unfortunately, A tricoccum mimics such as Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) and False Hellebore (Veratrum viride) can lead to foraging errors and subsequent patient harm/toxicity. We describe 3 adults who foraged and ate what they believed were A tricoccum and then subsequently became symptomatic with detectable digoxin concentrations. A 41-y-old woman, 41-y-old man, and a 31-y-old man presented to the emergency department after ingesting an unknown plant that was believed to be A tricoccum. On arrival to the emergency department, the patients were hypotensive and bradycardic. They had detectable digoxin concentrations ranging from 0.08 ng·mL-1 to 0.13 ng·mL-1. One patient received 20 vials of digoxin antibody fragments. All 3 patients recovered without complication. Laboratory analysis of plant specimen was positive for cyclopamine, a teratogenic alkaloid found in Veratrum californicum. A tricoccum foraging errors can be a source of morbidity given their similarity in appearance to plants like C majalis and V viride. C majalis causes a detectable digoxin concentration via its cardiac steroid compound (convallatoxin) that is similar to digoxin. V viride contains alkaloid compounds (such as veratridine) that can cross react with digoxin assays and lead to a falsely elevated digoxin concentration. Clinicians should be prompted to think about ingestion of C majalis or Veratrum spp. when patients present with bradycardia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and detectable digoxin concentrations after plant ingestion and/or foraging for A tricoccum.

Late-onset of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency: A rare medical examiner case.

Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OTC) is an enzyme of the urea cycle, which converts ammonia into urea in the liver cells. OTC plays a crucial role in the breakdown and removal of nitrogen in the body. OTC deficiency is a rare X-linked recessive disorder that classically presents in early life with signs of hyperammonemia and progressive central nervous system involvement resulting in seizures, coma, and death. Sentinel presentation in adulthood is quite rare. A 29-year-old man developed altered mental status after receiving an epidural steroid injection 3 days earlier for back pain. He presented to the emergency department severely agitated, and his workup revealed an elevated ammonia level of 125 µmol/L. He refused admission and was discharged against medical advice. The following day, his mentation deteriorated, he developed status epilepticus, and was transported to another emergency department. He was admitted with worsening hyperammonemia (levels rising to over 700 µmol/L). His clinical condition progressive deteriorated, and he developed encephalopathy and diffuse cerebral edema. Liver function testing indicated progressive liver damage, and amino acids were detected in his blood and urine. Clinical and laboratory findings suggested undiagnosed OTC enzyme deficiency. He died 2 days after admission. An autopsy showed an 1890 g liver with diffuse yellow discoloration and softening. Histology and electron microscopy revealed findings suggestive of urea cycle disorder, such as microvesicular steatosis, apoptosis, and scattered mitosis, clusters of clear hepatocytes at the PAS stain, and mitochondria abnormalities. Genetic analysis revealed a hemizygous pathogenic variant of the OTC gene (c.622G>A). OTC deficiency should be suspected in subjects with hyperammonemic encephalopathy. If a genetic mutation is identified in the deceased, surviving family members should be screened to prevent potential life-threatening complications.

Buprenorphine therapy in the setting of induced opioid withdrawal from oral naltrexone: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) frequently present to the emergency department for acute treatment of overdose and withdrawal. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old male presented to the emergency room after intravenous heroin use followed by accidental ingestion of naltrexone. He was treated with buprenorphine with significant improvement in his Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Score, from moderately severe to mild withdrawal symptoms within a few hours. CONCLUSION: Buprenorphine and minimal supportive care can be used to treat acute withdrawal precipitated by oral naltrexone in patients with OUD.

High-Fidelity Simulation Scenario: Pediatric Sulfonylurea Overdose and Treatment.

Introduction: Oral antidiabetic medications are becoming increasingly popular as the incidence of type II diabetes mellitus increases. Overdoses of these medications, either intentional or accidental, can be detrimental if not quickly recognized and treated. One of the most common classes of hypoglycemic oral antidiabetics, sulfonylureas, was discussed in this case. Methods: We designed this high-fidelity simulation to help increase the learner's knowledge of sulfonylurea overdoses, including recognizing signs/symptoms, management, and disposition. This simulation was designed to be used with fourth-year medical students, emergency medicine residents, and pediatric residents. The case involves a previously healthy 3-year-old male presenting with altered mental status and seizures secondary to glyburide ingestion. A standard pediatric simulation mannequin was required. The patient presented with altered mental status and began seizing upon arrival. After a thorough history, glyburide ingestion was identified. Critical actions included obtaining a fingerstick glucose measurement, determining an appropriate concentration of dextrose, starting a dextrose drip, and admission for further management. Results: This simulation case was performed at the simulation lab at SUNY Upstate Medical University by a combination of 83 fourth-year medical students, and emergency medicine and pediatric residents. Feedback and evaluations for the case showed it improved medical education and clinical skills. Discussion: This simulation was well received and helped participants develop a better understanding of sulfonylurea overdose identification. It also improved participants' ability to manage refractory hypoglycemia and compile a more comprehensive list of differential diagnoses.

Emergency department management of patients with failure to thrive

Although failure to thrive (FTT) is a relatively common presentation in the emergency department, many emergency clinicians are unsure of how to properly work up a pediatric patient with this condition. Obtaining a thorough history and physical examination will likely reveal the cause of FTT. Although most laboratory testing has low diagnostic yield, they may be indicated in certain circumstances. Radiologic testing is normally not indicated unless the history or physical examination point to a specific etiology. This issue reviews the etiology, pathophysiology, and management of patients with FTT, with the goal of improving outcomes while minimizing unnecessary testing, decreasing cost, and expediting emergency department care.

Naloxone Administration by Untrained Community Members.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Access to naloxone is a priority for reducing opioid deaths. Although community members who complete naloxone training are able to administer nasal naloxone successfully and rapidly, little is known about the ability of community members to administer naloxone without training. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of untrained individuals to administer naloxone successfully in a simulated opioid overdose setting. DESIGN: Prospective single-site open-label randomized usability assessment. SETTING: Scenario station at a large state fair during August and September 2017. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 207 healthy adults who were randomly assigned to administer naloxone using a nasal spray (NS) device (69 participants), an intramuscular (IM) kit (68 participants), or an improvised nasal atomizer (AT) kit (70 participants). INTERVENTION: Participants were instructed to administer the device to a high-fidelity mannequin in a public environment with distractions to mimic those that might be present in an actual overdose. No device instructions or administration materials were provided. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Participants were assessed by trained study team members who directly observed all naloxone administrations using the predetermined end-point criteria. Individual participant perceptions were evaluated immediately following the naloxone administration using a standardized questionnaire form. The primary outcome was successful administration, defined as administration within 7 minutes and without critical errors. Secondary outcomes were time to successful naloxone administration and ease of use of the device. The NS (66.7%, p<0.001) and IM (51.5%, p<0.001) devices had higher rates of successful administration than the improvised nasal AT device (2.9%). The NS device was administered more rapidly (median 16 sec) than the IM device (median 58 sec, p<0.001) or improvised nasal AT device (median 113 sec, p=0.012) devices, and it was the easiest to use. CONCLUSION: In this study of naloxone administration, participants administered the NS and IM devices more successfully than the AT device. The NS device was administered most rapidly and was easiest to use.

Camel Bites: A Case Study with a Summary of Current Epidemiology, Injury Patterns, and Treatment Modalities.

Animal bites are a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the United States, the majority of animal bites come from domestic pets, including dogs, cats, and rodents. Camel bites, on the other hand, are exceedingly rare in the United States and are poorly described in the western medical literature. Special considerations must be made when camel bite injuries occur, as they may be therapeutically challenging. Although some clinical features of camel bites resemble those of the more common animal bite injuries, the camel's unique dentition and bite force must be taken into account when managing these wounds.

High-Fidelity Simulation Scenario: Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy and Treatment.

Introduction: Treatment of seizures in the neonatal patient is urgent and time sensitive. Effective and timely treatment of this life-threatening condition is vital in preventing mortality and long-term morbidity. This simulation-based curriculum involves the identification and management of a seizure in a 4-day-old neonate with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy. The target audience is emergency medicine and pediatric residents, pediatric emergency medicine fellows, and medical students. Methods: The primary objectives for this simulation are to (1) rapidly initiate stabilization techniques for a seizing neonate, (2) recognize the importance of checking a glucose level in a seizing neonate, (3) demonstrate understanding of antiepileptic medications and dosing, and (4) identify status epilepticus and initiate pyridoxine once initial seizure management has failed. The goals of this simulation are for residents to treat a seizing infant in an emergency department setting, identify status epilepticus, develop a differential diagnosis that includes vitamin B6 deficiency, and correctly administer pyridoxine. Requirements of this simulation include a high-fidelity patient simulator, medical supplies, a patient simulator operator, and one actor. Results: This simulation case was performed at the simulation lab at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University with emergency medicine and pediatric residents. Feedback evaluations for the case showed that it improved resident education and clinical skills. Discussion: This simulation case was well received and helped residents develop a systematic approach to seizure management of a newborn. Residents reported increased confidence in treating a seizing neonate and increased comprehension of pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy.