[The intraosseous infusion in adult]. / La perfusion intraosseuse chez l'adulte.

Intraosseous infusion is an old knowledge, abandoned in the 1950s in favor of the peripheral vein, and it was essentially described in pediatrics and military medicine. Since 2005, this way is experiencing a resurgence of interest in emergency medicine particularly in adults after the failure's installation of a peripheral vein in order not to waste the time of care and administration of treatment. New devices that allow intraosseous infusion are currently used in humans. We propose to review the different kind of catheters used, to know the main technical characteristics, indications, contraindications and potential complications. We propose a comparison with the peripheral vein and a comparison between the different catheters.

[Helium-sevoflurane association: a rescue treatment in case of acute severe asthma]. / Association hélium-sévoflurane : une thérapeutique de sauvetage dans l'asthme aigu grave.

We report the case of a severe acute asthma, which required, after optimal medical therapy, helium and sevoflurane CO-administration after tracheal intubation. The Anesthetic Conserving Device allowed sevoflurane use with intensive care unit's ventilator. The helium-sevoflurane association was maintained during 9 days to decrease the bronchospasm, waiting for the efficiency of an aetiologic treatment. We discuss the suitability of this association to treat severe acute asthma, and its administration modalities.

[Solitary ulcer of the colonic hepatic flexure]. / Ulcère solitaire de l'angle colique droit.

The nonspecific colon ulcer is a not a well-known disorder. A case of ulcer of the colic hepatic flexure is described. It was a case of pseudotumor and the pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. The precise diagnosis of colon ulcer is useful for conservative treatment with coloscopic surveillance and to prevent a hemorrhagic complication or peritonitis after perforation. Contrary to diverticulitis, this pathology is most dominant on the right colon and particularly on the cecum. This explains the frequency of pseudoappendicular syndromes.

[Bacterial meningitis in HIV patient: think about co-infections!]. / Méningite bactérienne chez le patient VIH positif: pensez aux co-infections!

The authors report the case of an African 34-year-old patient who was admitted to the intensive care unit for bacterial meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. A meningeal co-infection due to Cryptococcal neoformans was found the 3rd day in an HIV infection context. Cryptococcus neoformans detection in cerebrospinal fluid, using the India-ink stain, has a low sensibility which imposes the search of cryptococcal antigen and the culture of cerebrospinal fluid. These last two exams have a sensibility of at least 90%.

[Premixed 50% nitrous oxide and oxygen: theoretical recalls and practical modalities]. / Mélange équimolaire oxygène-protoxyde d'azote (MEOPA). Rappels théoriques et modalités pratiques d'utilisation.

The concept of premixed 50% nitrous oxide and oxygen dated back to 1961 in England, where it is commercialised under the name Entonox. In France, after a so marginal use, premixed 50% nitrous oxide and oxygen now knows such a revival since we first consider the pain provoked by the cure. To use correctly premixed 50% nitrous oxide and oxygen, we need to know the main properties of the nitrous oxide. The four commercial versions, now on the market, are presented (Kalinox, Medimix, Antasol, Oxynox. Except a few contraindications, these indications are large, as well at hospital as outside. In less than 10% of the cases, side effects are possible. Conditions of administration are given in details. The limits of the technic and the particular precautions of use are precised.

[Scurvy in intensive care despite vitamin supplementation]. / Scorbut en soins intensifs malgré un apport vitaminique.

INTRODUCTION: Scurvy can occur in hospitalized patients despite vitamin supplementation. OBSERVATION: A 63 Year-old patient who had spent several weeks in intensive care developed an unexplained anemia and ecchymoses. Despite daily administration of 130 mg/day of vitamin C since his admission, his ascorbic acid blood levels had collapsed. Administration of 1g/day relieved the symptoms within four weeks. DISCUSSION: Whether a deficiency had existed prior to admission or not, scurvy developed during the week of intensive care despite parenteral nutrition supplying a daily dose of 130 mg of vitamin C. Such deficiencies decompensated in surgical situations remain a reality in developed countries. CONCLUSION: In certain pathological contexts and in all the growing number of cases in elderly patients and many surgical indications, the need for vitamin C supplementation has to be defined. The needs at that particular time must be taken into account and the prior nutritional status.

[Fiberoptic intubation in adult patients with predictive signs of difficult intubation: inhalational induction using sevoflurane and an endoscopic facial mask]. / Intubation fibroscopique sous sévoflurane chez l'adulte avec un masque facial endoscopique en cas d'intubation difficile.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the combination of inhalational induction with sevoflurane and fiberoptic intubation through a specific facial mask for anticipated difficult tracheal intubation (DI) in adults. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen consecutive patients at risk of DI. After premedication made of hydroxyzine 2 mg x kg(-1), preoxygenation, 0.1 microg x kg(-1) sufentanil was administered (T0), then, inhalational induction was started: sevoflurane 8% in 100% O2 l x min(-1). After 1 min, sevoflurane was decreased to 5% and, if necessary, adapted to obtain an adequate depth of anaesthesia (Ramsay score > 3). Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed through a Fibroxy mask. BP was measured every 2.5 min, HR, SpO2, RR were recorded. The results were analyzed by Newman-Keuls test. RESULTS: Intubation was easily realized but it was necessary to assist ventilation in patients presenting prolonged apnea lasting more than 30 s (5 out of 9 patients who presented apnea during procedure). Intubation was quickly realized (T+ 4 +/- 3 min). Haemodynamics and saturation were not altered during procedure. Inhalatory induction using sevoflurane costs 6 10 versus 16 80 for intravenous target controlled propofol anesthesia (using only one preconditionned syringe). CONCLUSION: Inhalational induction with sevoflurane and fiberoptic intubation appeared easy, fast and cheap.

[Fiber-optic intubation with non-invasive ventilation with an endoscopic facial mask]. / Intubation fibroscopique sous ventilation non invasive avec un masque facial endoscopique.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and safety of a new technique of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) tracheal intubation (TI) with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) via an endoscopic full facial mask with two openings, in case of acute respiratory failure (ARF) temporally improved by NIV, but requiring a mechanical ventilation. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical, prospective, open, noncomparative trial of feasibility with direct individual profit. PATIENTS: Sixteen patients with ARF (age: 60 +/- 17 years, PaO2 = 59 +/- 16 mmHg, PaCO2 = 64 +/- 26 mmHg, PaO2/FIO2 = 142 +/- 70 before NIV) (m +/- SD), requiring TI. Including were: TI necessity (SpO2 < 90% or hypercapnic despite NIV, dependence of NIV, exhaustion, septic syndrome), clinical and SpO2 improvement with NIV. METHODS: After i.v. injection of 5 mg midazolam and topical anesthesia (TA) of the nose, the endoscopic mask (modified Fibroxy, Péters) was applied to the face, fixed with elastic straps, then connected to the ventilatory support system with IPAP = 20 cmH2O, EPAP = 5 to 12 cmH2O, FIO2 = 1. A tube was slid on the FOB. As soon as SpO2[[[nbsp] 94%, the extremity of the FOB, was inserted through the lower opening of the mask, slid in the nostril, positioned in front of the glottis for AL, then pushed in the trachea authorizing AL and i.v. injection of 0.15 mg.kg-1 of etomidate (Ramsay[[[nbsp]3). The tube was then slid in the trachea, then, FOB was removed from trachea. RESULTS: The FOB intubation was easy at the patient's, without any failure or any complication. The procedure was 6.7 +/- 2 min. SpO2 significantly improved during TI, from 84 +/- 5% (FIO2 = 0.6 +/- 3) to 97 +/- 1 (FIO2 = 1 +/- 0), without decrease in oxygen saturation off 90%. Arterial pressure decreased only after the 5th min. The quantities of midazolam and of etomidate used were 4.6 +/- 2 mg and 12 +/- 4 mg. Three patients benefited from EPAP > 10 cmH2O. CONCLUSION: Fiberoptic tracheal intubation with NIV via an adapted endoscopic facial mask is a safe technique in patient with ARF temporally improved by NIV. This procedure requires TA and conscious sedation.