[Long-term follow-up after intravenous injection of mercury--two cases report]. / Wieloletnia obserwacja po dozylnym wstrzyknieciu rteci metalicznej--opis dwóch przypadków.

In this paper we present the long-term follow-up of two patients, after injection of metallic mercury. Case 1. In 1997, 29-years-old man injected himself to left elbow about 20 ml of metallic mercury by mistake (he was heroin abuser for short time). Mercury concentration in the blood was 400 microg/L. X-ray of the chest, abdomen and affected elbow area showed radiopaque foreign material (depots of mercury). Depots of mercury were also visible on the tricuspid valve in echocardiography. Mercury from the soft tissue left elbow pit was partially surgically removed. During 15 years follow-up two times chelating therapy was performed with d-penicyllamine and DMPS. In 2012, he was admitted to hospital next time. The blood and urine mercury concentration was still elevated (55.2 microg/L and 197 microg/L), mercury depots in the lung and abdomen were present. The signs and symptoms of CNS damage, like peripheral polyneuropathy and ataxia, were diagnosed. CT of brain did not revealed any changes, despite head trauma before 6 years. However neurological findings are typical for chronic mercury poisoning, it is not possible to determine whether these changes are directly related to mercury, because head trauma history, Case 2. In 2003, 16-years-old woman injected herself one month before, in suicidal attempts to both elbows several millilitres of metallic mercury. Mercury concentration in the blood was 56.2 microg/L, in urine 906 microg/L and in the hair 1.12 microg/g. Chest Xray showed depots of mercury in the lung. Mercury from the soft tissue was two times surgically removed. During 9 years two times chelating therapy was performed with d-penicyllamine and DMPS. After 9 years there is no symptoms of mercury poisoning. Mercury depots in the lung are still present. The blood and urine mercury concentration is low (13.7 microg/L and 2.53 microg/L). In mean time she gave birth two healthy children. Further patients evaluation is necessary.

[Analysis of personality and psychosocial development of adolescent patients in relation to family dysfunction]. / Analiza rozwoju i osobowosci pacjenta-adolescenta dokonujacego próby samobójczej na tle objawów dysfunkcji w rodzinie.

The aim of the study was to analyse an individual psychosocial development and personality of adolescents in relation to family dysfunction. 36 patients who committed suicide attempt treated at the Department of Clinical Toxicology Jagiellonian University Medical College in 2004 and 2005 were included. The Adjective Check List (ACL) by H.G. Gough and A.B. Heilbrun was used. The parents of each of the adolescents were interviewed and responded to questions according to special author's designed Questionnaire. Some phenomenon who can influence the personality and may be recognised as a predictors of suicide attempt were found in most of the examined patients. Prophylactic and therapeutic programs for individual patient and his family member should be constructed.

(99m)Tc-HmPAO single photon emission tomography, magnetic resonance proton spectroscopy and neuropsychological testing in evaluation of carbon monoxide neurotoxicity.

There were 10 acutely CO poisoned study patients without CNS history (head traumas, epilepsy, dementia, migraine or alcoholic diseases) in whom (99m)Tc-HmPAO SPET, HMRS and neuropsychological testing were performed. 99mTc-HmPAO SPET and neuropsychological testing were performed twice: in acute phase and at six months post CO exposure. HMRS was carried out at 8 months post CO exposure. A multidimensional analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to statistical analysis. Regional CBF disturbances in acute phase of CO poisoning were observed in frontal cortex, basal ganglia and parietal cortex respectively. The most reversible, as seen in control (99m)Tc-HmPAO SPET examination, were the changes observed in parietal cortex. Diffuse generalized cortex hypoperfusion, both in acute phase and at 6 months post exposure, was seen only in one the patient. In all of the examined patients different elevation in mobile lipid or/and lactate concentration in frontal lobe or/and basal ganglia was revealed by HMRS evaluation at eight months post acute CO exposure. Results of neuropsychological testing at baseline and at 6 months partially correlated with neuro-imagine techniques applied.

[Connection between personality and emotional intelligence in groups of patients after suicidal attempts and ethanol dependent persons]. / Zwiazek cech osobowosci i poziomu inteligencji emocjonalnej w grupach pacjentów po próbie samobójczej oraz uzaleznionych od alkoholu.

The aim of the study was to examine relationship between personality and emotional intelligence in two groups. The first group included patients hospitalized for suicide attempts in the Department of Clinical Toxicology CMUJ, the second one included ethanol dependent patients hospitalized in detoxification unit. The study included 103 persons: 52 in the study group of patients after suicidal attempt and 51 in the ethanol dependent patients group. Personality was described according to the one of most popular concepts--Costa and McCrae's Big Five Model, including five major factors: neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness. The second problem discussed in this study was emotional intelligence understood as ability to follow one's own and others' emotions, differentiate them and use this information in directing one's own thinking and action. In this study Costa and McCrae's Five-Factor Inventory (NEO) and N. S. Schutte's Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire were used. The analysis of their results in our two groups confirmed the hypothesis of relationship between emotional intelligence and personality.

[Results of the psychological examination of patients--alcohol-addicted drivers, treated in a detoxification unit]. / Wyniki badania psychologicznego pacjentów--kierowców uzaleznionych od alkoholu, leczonych w oddziale detoksykacji.

There are many studies on problems related to alcohol abuse in many aspects from many countries. As a preventive strategy a few years duration programs for numerous populations are being conducted for tightening of social interrelation, to prevent juvenile drinking, to avoid drinking and driving etc. USA study on drinking and driving people indicate on different psychiatric disorders and needs for deeper psychiatric insight. Analysis of different source information on alcohol related traffic collisions is a basis for prevention strategy programs. Our study may contribute in small number of psychology publications related to psychometric testing on motor skills, cognition ability and social condition of people who drive and drink. There were 50 ethanol dependent patients treated at the Department of Clinical Toxicology detoxification unit. All of them had a driving license; majority had access and opportunity to drive a car. A structured interview and psychometric tests were used to evaluate psychology functioning. It can be assumed that deficits revealed in the examination may be detrimental factors to proper and efficient driving ability.

[Diagnostic problems in case of environmental exposure to tetraethyl lead]. / Problemy diagnostyczne w przypadku srodowiskowego narazenia na czteroetylek olowiu.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was the presentation of the chronic tetraethyl lead poisoning of the 4 person family in the place of settlement. CASE REPORT: 15.5-years-old man was admitted to the regional Pediatric Ward because of changes of behavior, hallucinations, agitation. Nausea, vomiting, metallic taste and diarrhea were observed prior to the admission. In the case history, there were no data suggested of the toxic origin of the disorder . The CSF examination and CT of the brain were normal. Increased activity of CPK, ALT, AST, GTP, LDH in the blood were found. Paranoid syndrome was diagnosed by psychiatric evaluation. The patients' mother presented similar signs in almost the same time. The laboratory tests of the blood taken from the patients' father and older brother revealed the increase activity of the same enzymes (CPK, ALT, AST, LDH). All family was admitted to the Department of Clinical Toxicology in Kraków because of suspicion of the heavy metal poisoning. The toxicological laboratory test showed in all described patients the toxic serum lead concentration accordingly: 440 microg/l--older brother, 490 microg/l--father, 508 microg/l--mother and 635 microg/l--primary described patient. Because of the fact, that were no characteristic for lead poisoning changes in blood picture, the toxicological investigations were continued. As a result of these examinations presence of a diethyl lead in urine was confirmed. In the evaluation of the multiorgan damages connected with tetraethyl lead poisoning, we paid special attention on CSN dysfunctions. The USG and scintigraphy examinations revealed the liver damage. The different kinds of arrhythmias indicated on cardiovascular system damage. Based on clinical presentation and laboratory investigations the chronic tetraethyl lead poisoning was diagnosed.

[Late sequelae of tetraethyl lead poisoning]. / Odlegle nastepstwa zatrucia czteroetylkiem olowiu.

In our previous study a tetraethyl lead poisoning due to a rural environmental exposure of four family members was described. A differently intensified OUN dysfunction dominated clinical picture. Cognition status and degree of OUN dysfunction was monitored using generally accepted neurobehavioral test battery. The tests applied were fitted individually to each poisoned family member in accordance to current intensification of symptoms. Basing on the neurobehavioral performance results a consecutive imagine techniques were introduced to full CNS evaluation of intoxicated patients. Results of neuropsychological monitoring in 12 months period were compared to brain CT, SPET 99mTc-ECD used to evaluation of regional brain perfusion disturbances, MRI and MRS and presented in the study.

[Analysis of psychological examination results for patients over 60 years of age treated in the Department of Clinical Toxicology CM UJ after suicide attempts]. / Psychologiczna analiza wyników badan pacjentów w wieku powyzej szescdziesiatego roku zycia hospitalizowanych w Klinice Toksykologii CM UJ po próbach samobójczych.

Psychological examination done in the Toxicological Department covers almost all patients treated after suicidal attempts. Elder people constitute a small percentage of this population. Our observation shows, that this percentage is growing in recent years. This analysis covers 188 patients over 60 years of age. Involvement of a psychologist was not only diagnostic but also therapeutic. Important part of the treatment included a session with patient's family and effort targeted to help patients for whom coming back to their previous environment could present life threatening danger.