Epinephrine Auto-Injection After Allergic Reaction Leading to Gas Gangrene of the Leg.

BACKGROUND Clostridial myonecrosis, also known as gas gangrene, is a highly lethal necrotizing soft tissue infection. While commonly associated with trauma, clostridial myonecrosis may be the result of parenteral injection of medications. Epinephrine is the most commonly reported medication leading to gas gangrene. CASE REPORT A 60-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with "the worst pain in his life" to the right thigh near the site at which he auto-injected epinephrine after multiple bee stings 10-11 h prior to arrival. Initial heart rate was 112 beats/min but all other vital signs were unremarkable at presentation. Due to extreme pain, a computed tomography (CT) scan was ordered, revealing prominent gas within the anterior compartment of the right thigh, mostly involving the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris, suggesting necrotizing fasciitis. Antimicrobials were initiated immediately and the patient was taken for surgical debridement within 70 min after obtaining the CT results. Clostridium perfringens was cultured from the patient's tissue. After several surgical debridement's, appropriate antimicrobial therapy, supportive care, and wound care, the patient's limb remained intact and he was discharged after 11 days. CONCLUSIONS With millions of epinephrine auto-injectors prescribed yearly in the United States, awareness of clostridial gas gangrene following epinephrine auto-injection for the provider may help guide decision-making in patients presenting with extreme pain, redness, or swelling near the injection site after epinephrine injection.

4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate Administration via Intraosseous Access for Urgent Reversal of Warfarin.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin K antagonist (VKA) reversal in patients with acute major bleeding and coagulopathy is an example of an urgent intervention in the emergency department. Intravenous (IV) prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) may reverse VKA-induced coagulopathy in <30 min. In patients lacking IV access, effective PCC administration becomes problematic. No previous case reports have documented PCC infusion via intraosseous (IO) or alternative routes in this setting. CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old man presented to the emergency department (ED) after a head injury, with sudden onset of left-sided facial droop, weakness, hypertension, and dizziness. Initial vital signs include blood pressure of 221/102 mm Hg, a heart rate of 75 beats/min, and oxygen saturation of 96% on room air. Warfarin 3 mg once daily was among his medications. His international normalized ratio (INR) was 3.9 with a computed tomography scan showing intraparenchymal hemorrhage in the right temporal lobe. Multiple attempts for IV access at various sites were unsuccessful. Therefore, IO access was established. Because of his prolonged prothrombin time, elevated INR, and intraparenchymal hemorrhage, the decision was made to use 4-factor PCC to reverse the supratherapeutic INR. The INR normalized as an emergent right parietal hematoma evacuation was performed. After an inpatient course, the patient was eventually discharged. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: VKAs, like warfarin, are commonly prescribed medications. When life-threatening hemorrhage is present, rapid reversal of a VKA-induced coagulopathy may be a life-saving therapy. In the event that IV access has not been established, we have demonstrated that IO access is a viable alternative route for PCC administration.