The prevalence of complicated cervical injuries in near-hanging patients without abnormal levels of consciousness or neck signs.

BACKGROUND: Cervical injuries are important complications of near-hanging, which is defined as self-injury by hanging if the patient survives at admission. Previous studies have reported that complicated cervical injuries due to near-hanging are uncommon. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether cervical imaging can be safely omitted for near-hanging patients who are alert and have no abnormal neck symptoms or signs. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study to investigate the prevalence of cervical injuries among hospitalized near-hanging patients between April 2014 and June 2023. The primary outcome was the prevalence of any complicated cervical injuries, which included laryngeal fractures, laryngeal deviations, spinal cord injuries, cervical spine fractures, and blunt cerebrovascular injuries. The primary aim of this study was to determine the primary outcome among near-hanging patients with normal levels of consciousness and no abnormal neck symptoms or signs. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 63 near-hanging patients were hospitalized. Of these, 11 patients (18%) with normal levels of consciousness and no neck symptoms or signs at admission were included. The median age of the patients was 37 years (IQR 27 to 53); 5 (45%) were women, and none had cardiac arrest at the scene. For the primary outcome, no complicated cervical injuries (0%; 95% CI, 0% to 27%) occurred among the small number of near-hanging patients who had normal levels of consciousness and no abnormal neck symptoms or signs at admission. CONCLUSIONS: There were no cases of complicated cervical injuries among near-hanging patients with normal levels of consciousness and no abnormal neck symptoms or signs. Further prospective multicenter studies are warranted to investigate whether cervical imaging can be safely omitted in assessments of these patients.

Prevalence of urgent hospitalizations caused by adverse drug reactions: a cross-sectional study.

Adverse drug reactions account for a substantial portion of emergency hospital admissions. However, in the last decade, few studies have been conducted to determine the prevalence of hospitalization due to adverse drug reactions. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the proportion of adverse drug reactions leading to emergency hospital admission and to evaluate the risk factors for these reactions. A total of 5707 consecutive patients aged > 18 years who were emergently hospitalized due to acute medical illnesses between June 2018 and May 2021 were included. Causality assessment for adverse drug reactions was performed by using the World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Centre criteria. The median patient age was 78 years (IQR 63-87), and the proportion of women was 47.9%. Among all the hospitalizations, 287 (5.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.5-5.6%) were caused by 368 adverse drug reactions. The risk factors independently associated with hospitalization due to adverse drug reactions were polypharmacy (OR 2.66), age ≥ 65 years (OR 2.00), and ambulance use (OR 1.41). Given that the population is rapidly aging worldwide, further efforts are needed to minimize hospitalizations caused by adverse drug reactions.

Renal Pelvic Haemorrhage Complicating Emphysematous Pyelonephritis.

Subepithelial haemorrhage of the renal pelvis is a rare cause of haematuria and can be diagnosed based on radiographic findings. This haemorrhage often appears as a non-enhancing hyperdense mass in the renal pelvis on computed tomography, which sometimes results in unnecessary nephrectomy because it can mimic renal neoplasms. It can be managed conservatively, and its prognosis is generally benign. We report a case of renal pelvic haemorrhage complicating emphysematous pyelonephritis that needed emergent nephrectomy. Our case highlights the importance of careful observation for complications of urinary tract infection, although complications are rare. LEARNING POINTS: Renal pelvic haemorrhage is an uncommon cause of haematuria. It can mimic renal neoplasms, which sometimes results in unnecessary nephrectomy.Although the prognosis of renal pelvic haemorrhage is generally benign, careful observation for complications of urinary tract infection is important.

Sleep-related hallucinations in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Given that sleep-wake cycle dysfunction can cause hallucinations in Parkinson's disease patients, sleep-related hallucinations may be a different subtype from hallucinations that occur only during full wakefulness. However, few studies that distinguish the onset situations of hallucinations related to sleep from those that occur in full wakefulness have been conducted to investigate hallucinations in Parkinson's disease patients. Therefore, we conducted a multicenter observational study to investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with sleep-related hallucinations in patients with Parkinson's disease. Information on hallucinations was collected by using a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Of 100 consecutive patients with Parkinson's disease, 29 (29%) reported sleep-related hallucinations, and 16 (16%) reported hallucinations only in the full wakefulness. A longer duration of Parkinson's disease treatment (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.72), higher Beck Depression Inventory-II scores (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.14), and higher rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder scores (OR 5.60; 95% CI 1.54 to 20.38) were independent factors associated with the presence of sleep-related hallucinations in a multivariable analysis. Sleep-related hallucinations, but not daytime hallucinations, were associated with probable rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. Phenomenological discrimination between sleep-related hallucinations and daytime hallucinations is important for elucidating the full pathology in Parkinson's disease and the mechanisms underlying hallucinations.

Incidence of thromboembolic complications in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a medical ward in Japan: A single-center retrospective and prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: A high incidence of thromboembolic complications is one of the hallmarks of COVID-19. However, there may be a difference in the incidence of thromboembolic complications between Asian and Western people. In addition, few prospective studies have been conducted to determine the incidence of thromboembolic complications in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in medical wards in Japan. METHODS: A single-center retrospective and prospective cohort study was conducted to determine the incidence of thromboembolic complications in symptomatic COVID-19 patients in a medical ward in a Japanese hospital. All 1116 consecutive COVID-19 patients who were admitted to our hospital from November 1, 2020, to October 26, 2021, were included. The primary outcome was any thromboembolic complications, which included venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and other arterial embolisms. RESULTS: The median patient age was 50 (IQR, 37-61), 402 (36.0%) were women, 1005 (90.1%) were Japanese, the median body mass index was 24.1 (IQR, 21.6-27.2), and 43 (3.9%) had Padua scores of at least 4 points at admission. Regarding the severity of COVID-19, 543 (48.7%), 315 (28.2%), 204 (18.3%), and 54 (4.8%) patients had mild, moderate, severe, and critical COVID-19, respectively. Nine patients (0.8%) died, and 47 patients (4.2%) were transferred to other hospitals for intensive care. The primary outcome occurred in only 5 patients (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.1-0.8) and consisted of 3 ischemic strokes, 2 limb ischemia events, and one asymptomatic pulmonary embolism. Even in the 204 patients with severe COVID-19, the prevalence of thromboembolic complications was only 2.5% (95% CI, 0.3-4.6). CONCLUSION: Thromboembolic complications of COVID-19 are rare even in severe cases in a medical ward in a Japanese hospital. Further studies are needed to identify severe COVID-19 patients with a higher risk for thromboembolic complications in Japan.

The effect of casirivimab with imdevimab on disease progression in nonsevere COVID-19 patients in a single hospital in Japan.

Background: Recent randomized trials have revealed that neutralizing monoclonal antibodies can reduce disease progression in mild-moderate COVID-19 patients. However, no studies have investigated the effect of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies on clinical outcomes in Japan. Methods: A single-center retrospective and prospective cohort study was conducted. All consecutive febrile nonsevere COVID-19 patients with at least one risk factor were included. The primary outcome was progression to severe COVID-19. Severe COVID-19 cases were defined as patients requiring oxygen therapy and dexamethasone. The differences in the primary outcomes between the patients who were treated with casirivimab with imdevimab (treatment group) and those who were not (control group) were compared using the chi-squared test. Results: A total of 128 patients were included. Of those, the mean age was 53.6 years old (SD 9.9), and 52 (40.6%) were women. Fifty-three patients were treated with casirivimab with imdevimab, and 75 patients were given the standard treatment only. The primary outcome occurred in eight (15.1%) of the 53 patients in the treatment group and 33 (44.0%) of the 75 patients in the control group (odd ratio [OR] 0.23, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.55). The multivariate analysis revealed that the use of casirivimab with imdevimab (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.54) was the only independent risk factor associated with progression to severe COVID-19. No patients died during hospitalization in either group. Conclusion: Similar to other countries, casirivimab with imdevimab significantly reduced disease progression in early nonsevere COVID-19 patients with fever and risk factors in Japan.

Ovarian Vein Thrombosis as an Uncommon Cause of Postpartum Fever: A Case Report.

Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis (POVT) is an uncommon cause of postpartum fever. Because POVT is sometimes complicated by pulmonary embolism, preventing diagnostic delay is critical. Nonetheless, the diagnostic delay of POVT is common due to its rarity. Antibiotics along with anticoagulants are recommended as the standard therapy for POVT, but this recommendation is based on older, low-quality literature. Here, we present a case of POVT, presenting with a persistent postpartum fever, which was treated by anticoagulants without antibiotics. Our case highlights the importance of awareness of POVT as a differential diagnosis and the need for studies to investigate the role of antibiotics in POVT.

Prevalence of and factors associated with atypical presentation in bacteremic urinary tract infection.

A delay in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) is not uncommon. Atypical presentation is often cited as one of the causes of diagnostic delays. However, few studies have investigated the prevalence of atypical presentation and determined factors associated with atypical presentation at initial contact among patients with UTI. Therefore, a retrospective and prospective cohort study using chart review was conducted in two acute care hospitals. We included 285 consecutive patients hospitalized for bacteremic UTI. The primary outcome was atypical presentation, defined as the absence of any urinary tract symptom or sign at initial contact. Of all patients, the median age was 82 years, 186 (65.3%) were women, and 53 (18.6%) had dementia. Urinary tract symptoms and signs were absent at initial contact in 144 patients (50.5%; 95% CI 44.7-56.4%). The multivariable analysis revealed that older age, male sex, dementia, and early visit from symptom onset were significantly associated with an increased risk of atypical presentation. Patients with atypical presentation were less likely to receive a correct diagnosis at initial contact than patients with urinary tract symptoms and signs (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.17-0.51). Atypical presentation in patients with bacteremic UTI is common and negatively affects the correct diagnosis of UTI.

Jejunal Intussusception Caused by a Nasointestinal Ileus Tube.

A 79-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to pleural empyema. After 4 weeks of antimicrobial therapy and pleural drainage, he recovered but complained of new-onset abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed adhesive small bowel obstruction and a nasointestinal ileus tube with intermittent suction was inserted. This procedure initially decreased his abdominal pain, but severe abdominal pain and vomiting developed 3 days later. Repeat abdominal computed tomography revealed jejuno-jejunal intussusception due to the nasointestinal ileus tube. Our patient was initially treated conservatively. However, he underwent surgical reduction due to clinical deterioration 1 day after diagnosis and died from a surgical complication 19 days later. Intussusception is a rare but fatal complication caused by placement of a nasointestinal ileus tube in the small intestine. Because urgent operative reduction is needed to avoid intestinal resection in most cases, early diagnosis and surgical reduction of intussusception are critical. LEARNING POINTS: Intussusception is a rare but fatal complication caused by placement of a nasointestinal ileus tube.Intussusception should be suspected if abdominal pain and distention worsen after placement of a nasointestinal ileus tube.Urgent operative reduction is needed for intussusception due to a nasointestinal ileus tube.

Acute Suppurative Parotitis Following Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report.

Acute suppurative parotitis is an uncommon infection. However, given that acute suppurative parotitis tends to occur in the elderly and considering the aging population, the incidence of acute suppurative parotitis may increase in the future. To prevent acute suppurative parotitis, hydration, good oral hygiene, and avoiding diuretics and anticholinergics are essential. We present the case of a frail elderly patient with acute suppurative parotitis due to dehydration following acute ischemic stroke. Our case highlights the importance of appropriate fluid management in elderly patients.

Prevalence of delayed diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke in an acute care hospital: A single-center cross-sectional study in Japan.

BACKGROUNDS: Given the short therapeutic window for evidence-based therapies such as thrombolysis and endovascular treatment, it is important to immediately diagnose ischemic stroke. We investigated the prevalence of missed ischemic stroke diagnoses at initial contact and the proportion of potentially treatable patients without a delayed diagnosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 408 consecutive patients hospitalized due to acute ischemic stroke were included. The primary outcome was a delayed diagnosis of ischemic stroke at initial contact. A diagnosis of stroke was judged to be delayed unless physicians made a diagnosis and initiated treatment for ischemic stroke during the initial contact. The secondary outcome was ischemic stroke with a missed therapeutic window for effective treatment due to delayed diagnosis. RESULTS: The median patient age was 78 years old, and the median time from onset to presentation was nine hours. A diagnosis of stroke was deemed delayed in 49 (12.0%) patients. In the multivariable analysis, presentation 48 hours or more after stroke onset (OR 2.45) and the improvement of neurological symptoms prior to presentation (OR 3.11) were independently associated with delayed diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Opportunities for effective treatment were missed in 18 (36.7%) of the 49 delayed diagnosis cases, although no patients missed opportunities for thrombectomy due to delayed diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Even in the modern era, one out of every eight ischemic stroke cases was missed at the initial visit, and one-third of missed stroke cases might be candidates for effective treatment without diagnostic delay.

The use of Kampo medications that may cause heart failure in hospitalized acute heart failure patients in a Japanese hospital.

BACKGROUND: The use of Kampo medications (Japanese traditional herbal medications) is common in Japan. However, some Kampo medications may cause heart failure. Given that the incidence of heart failure has increased in past decades, investigating the prevalence of the use of Kampo medications that may cause heart failure in patients with acute heart failure is important. METHOD: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. All 437 consecutive hospitalized patients with acute heart failure from April 2017 to October 2019 were included. The primary outcome was the use of Kampo medications, including ephedra, licorice, aconite, or ginseng, which were defined as those that may cause heart failure. The causality between these medications and the index of acute heart failure was determined by clinical pharmacists based on the Naranjo criteria. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 81.1 years old, and 199 (54.5%) were women. Kampo medications that may cause heart failure were used in 30 patients (6.9%), and in four of these patients, acute heart failure was judged to be caused by Kampo medications. In the multivariable analysis, the number of non-Kampo medications used regularly (OR 1.13) and female sex (OR 2.23) were the only independent predictive factors for the use of Kampo medications that may cause heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of acute heart failure patients in Japanese hospitals use Kampo medications that may cause heart failure. Further study is warranted to investigate the causal link between the incidence of acute heart failure and the use of these herbal medications.