Alocasia odora poisoning due to calcium oxalate needle crystals in Japan.

Objective: To elucidate the actual circumstances of damage caused by Japanese Alocasia (A) odora. Materials and Methods: We investigated cases in Japan from our own hospital in the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture as well as published reports. Results: A. dorais found in western Japan, and plants of the Alocasia genus are cultivated often. A. odora is frequently associated with food poisoning because its aboveground parts resemble those of Satoimo (Colocasia esculenta). Moreover, A. odora contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which cause poisoning symptoms, such as oral pain, nausea, vomiting, and laryngeal edema, resulting in near asphyxia, diarrhea following shock, and skin dermatitis. Calcium oxalate crystals are abundant in Araceae family plants, and cases of health damage owing to the accidental ingestion of Araceae plants have been reported worldwide. Conclusion: Due to the strong irritation felt in the mouth upon contact with the plant, it is advisable to immediately spit out the plant and rinse the mouth. In addition to drug administration, ensuring a secure airway may be necessary if there is a risk of asphyxiation.

Acute aortic dissection during scuba diving.

A 60-year-old man with hypertension and dyslipidemia complained of chest pain upon ascending from a maximum depth of 27 meters while diving. After reaching the shore, his chest pain persisted, and he called an ambulance. When a physician checked him on the doctor's helicopter, his electrocardiogram (ECG) was normal, and there were no bubbles in his inferior vena cava or heart on a portable ultrasound examination. The physician still suspected that he had acute coronary syndrome instead of decompression illness; therefore, he was transported to our hospital. After arrival at the hospital, standard cardiac echography showed a flap in the ascending aorta. Immediate enhanced computed tomography revealed Stanford type A aortic dissection. The patient obtained a survival outcome after emergency surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of aortic dissection potentially associated with scuba diving. It highlights the importance of considering aortic dissection in patients with sudden-onset chest pain during physical activity. In addition, this serves as a reminder that symptoms during scuba diving are not always related to decompression. This report also suggests the usefulness of on-site ultrasound for the differential diagnosis of decompression sickness from endogenous diseases that induce chest pain. Further clinical studies of this management approach are warranted.

Fatal Head Injury in a 1-Year-Old Child Secured in a Rear-Facing Child Seat by Offset Car-to-Car Collision.

This case study describes a fatal head injury in a 1-year-old child involved in a motor vehicle accident in Japan. The child, secured in a rear-facing child seat, was a passenger in a car driven by their mother when the offset car-to-car collision occurred. The car rotated counterclockwise before coming to a stop. Despite remaining secured in the child seat, the child suffered severe head trauma, leading to cardiac arrest. Autopsy computed tomography revealed a right open depressed fracture, left head contusion, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, and pneumocephalus. The injury mechanism involved the child's head striking the right headrest, followed by a swing to the left, induced by the initial impact and subsequent rotational movement. This case highlights the importance of age-specific data in understanding pediatric injuries in motor vehicle accidents and improving child seat safety measures.

Carbazochrome sodium sulfonate and tranexamic acid combination therapy to reduce blood transfusions after 24 h of injury: A retrospective study.

Aim: Reducing the blood transfusion volume is important in severe trauma. We hypothesized that carbazochrome sodium sulfonate (CSS) combined with tranexamic acid (TXA) would reduce blood transfusions in severe trauma. Methods: From April 2017 to March 2023, data were collected from patients (aged ≥16 years) admitted to our hospital for trauma and administered packed red blood cells (pRBC) and plasma transfusions within 12 h postinjury. Patients infused with CSS and TXA (CSS + TXA group) were compared with those infused with TXA alone (TXA group). The outcomes were blood product transfusion volumes within and after 24 h, the number of patients receiving >6 units of pRBC transfusion after 24 h, duration of intensive care unit and in-hospital stays, and 28-day in-hospital mortality. Results: In total, 138 patients were included in the study. In the univariate analyses, the CSS + TXA group (n = 62) showed a significant reduction in the total pRBC transfusion volume, in-hospital days, and number of patients receiving >6 units of pRBCs in the delayed phase. Based on the multivariate logistics regression analysis, only the CSS + TXA group had a significantly lower adjusted odds ratio for receiving >6 units of pRBC transfusion after 24 h. During the in-hospital days, the CSS + TXA group did not experience an increased incidence of major complications when compared with the TXA group. Conclusion: In patients with trauma, treatment with CSS with TXA may reduce the requirement for blood transfusion after 24 h. Moreover, this treatment can improve admission outcomes without increasing complications.

The Factors Associated With Decreasing Hemoglobin Levels and Platelet Counts After Trauma.

Objective In this study, we investigated the factors related to anemia and platelet reduction in patients with moderate to severe trauma to gain a deeper understanding of these phenomena. Methods Our study spanned the period from April 2021 to September 2023, and it involved a retrospective review of the hospital medical charts of all emergency outpatients of all ages who were transported by a physician-staffed helicopter and treated at our hospital and were diagnosed with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of >8 by CT on arrival. The following data were analyzed: sex; age; mechanism of injury; vital signs upon arrival at the hospital; ISS; hemoglobin level and platelet count on arrival and day two; fibrin degradation product (FDP) level, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, and diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVC) on arrival; and infusion volume on day one. We then statistically calculated the independent risk factors for differences between hemoglobin levels and platelet counts on arrival and those on day two. Results The study included a total of 209 subjects, with an average age of 58 years and a male predominance. Multivariate analysis showed that the FDP level, IVC diameter, and age were significantly associated with changes in hemoglobin levels on arrival and day two, whereas the IVC diameter, LDH, age, systolic blood pressure, and sex were significantly associated with changes in the platelet count on arrival and day two. Conclusions A noteworthy correlation was found between certain factors and changes in hemoglobin levels and platelet counts between the initial assessment and the second day in our cohort. We recommend further prospective research to determine whether our findings hold true for a larger population of trauma patients.

Mild Encephalopathy/Encephalitis with Reversible Splenial Lesions after Amphetamine and Opioid Use.

A 47-year-old woman with a history of substance abuse, depression, and insomnia experienced a collapse. Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient displayed low systolic blood pressure, confusion, dehydration, and renal failure. Urine tests confirmed an amphetamine and opioid overdose. Her condition fluctuated with reduced consciousness, myoclonic movements, fever, and suspected psychogenic seizures. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormalities in the splenium of the corpus callosum, which later resolved. The patient's condition gradually improved without any specific treatment. This unique case represents the first report of mild encephalopathy/encephalitis with reversible splenial lesions associated with amphetamine and opioid use.

Outcome in intoxicated patients transported by a physician-staffed helicopter in Japan from 2015 to 2020.

Aim: We retrospectively investigated the current status of poisoned patients who had been transported by a physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service and their final outcomes using data from the JAPAN DOCTOR HELICOPTER REGISTRY SYSTEM. Methods: The following details of dispatch activity were collected from the database of the JAPAN DOCTOR HELICOPTER REGISTRY SYSTEM: patient age and sex, timing of dispatch request, presence of cardiac arrest, vital signs, medical intervention, main etiology of intoxication, and final outcome. The patients were divided into two groups: those with a good outcome and those with a poor outcome. The variables were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 336 patients were intoxicated. Psychotropic drug overdose was the dominant cause, followed by carbon monoxide and ethanol. The median Glasgow Coma Scale score was significantly higher in the good outcome group than in the poor outcome group. The rates of cardiac arrest, interventions to secure an airway and/or assist with ventilation, and drug administration were significantly lower in the good outcome group than in the poor outcome group. There were no records concerning the decontamination of the intoxicating substance at the scene or during air evacuation. Conclusion: The study suggests that various factors may influence the outcomes of patients with different types of intoxication. These findings offer valuable insights that could help to establish effective treatment strategies and the operation of doctor helicopters for intoxicated patients.

Patients With Atrioventricular Block Transported by a Physician-Staffed Helicopter in Japan From 2015 to 2020.

OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively investigated the current status of patients with atrioventricular block (AVB) who had been transported by the physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service and their final outcome using data from the Japan Doctor Helicopter Registry (JDHR) system. METHODS: The following details of the dispatch activity were collected from the database of the JDHR: age and sex, vital signs when emergency medical technicians encountered the patient at the scene and on arrival at the receiving hospitals, contents of the medical intervention, new cardiac arrest during transportation, the main etiology of AVB, and the number of deaths in 1 month. The changes in vital signs between the scene and upon arrival at the hospital were compared. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients had complete AVB. The average age of the patients was 75 years, and there was a male predominance. All subjects were evacuated from the scene. Among the 62 subjects who received the drugs, 18 received atropine. Six patients underwent percutaneous pacing. None of the patients developed a new cardiac arrest during transportation. The average Glasgow Coma Scale score and heart rate upon arrival at the hospital were significantly greater than those at the scene. CONCLUSION: The present study showed the current status of patients with AVB who were transported by a doctor helicopter using registry data from the JDHR. The present findings suggest that a doctor helicopter could provide safe transportation for patients with AVB.

Transportation of Medical Staff by Helicopter to Manage a Concealed Delivery at Home.

An unmarried pregnant woman felt lower abdominal pain. She rested in bed in her room on the second floor in her home. The next day she performed a delivery by herself. After the neonate cried, her parents noticed the birth and called an ambulance. After receiving the first call, the fire department decided to request the dispatch of a physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service in Eastern Shizuoka, in addition to dispatching an ambulance. After receiving the request, the helicopter emergency medical service transported 1 neonatal intensive care unit physician along with the original medical staff members of the fire department. Then, the 3 medical staff members were transported to the home by another ambulance. When emergency medical technicians climbed up a steep narrow ladder to enter the room, both the mother and female neonate were connected by the umbilical cord. Their vital signs were stable. At 30 minutes after delivery, the medical staff reached the mother and neonate and cut the umbilical cord. The mother and neonate were evacuated separately from the room but transported in the same ambulance. The ambulance transported them with the medical staff members to our hospital directly. Their postadmission courses were uneventful, and they were discharged. This is the first case report to send medical staff members to the patient's home by helicopter and ambulance to provide medical intervention for the neonate and her mother. Further prospective studies are needed in the future to determine whether this action could lead to favorable outcomes in both neonates and maternal bodies.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Complicated by Ischemic Colitis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

A 59-year-old male was found unconscious in a car filled with smoke. On arrival, he was in a semi-comatose state with hemorrhagic shock due to deep lacerations on his wrist. His carboxyhemoglobin level was 16.6%. Electrocardiography showed ST segment elevation at the precordial leads with troponin T positivity. Magnetic resonance imaging showed spotty ischemic lesions in his brain. He was treated with 100% oxygen by mechanical ventilation; however, he also developed acute respiratory distress syndrome due to an inhalation injury. His condition was complicated by bloody stools, which were judged to have been caused by ischemic colitis based on computed tomography and were managed by observation. After regaining consciousness and the improvement of the heart, lung, and bowel conditions, the patient was transported to a psychiatric hospital due to concerns regarding self-harm. Due to the small number of reported cases, the accumulation of similar cases of ischemic colitis after carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is needed to clarify the characteristics of ischemic colitis after carbon monoxide poisoning.

Outcomes of prehospital traumatic cardiac arrest managed by helicopter emergency medical service personnel in Japan: a registry data analysis.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) is associated with poor outcomes. Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMSs) are often used to transport critically ill patients to hospitals. However, the role of HEMS in the treatment of TCA remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine the current status of patients with prehospital TCA managed by HEMS personnel in Japan and compare the outcomes of patients who experienced TCA before and after the arrival of HEMS. METHODS: The Japanese Society for Aeromedical Services registry data of patients managed by HEMS personnel from April 2015 to March 2020 were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. HEMS arrival and physicians' interventions at the scene were the variables of interest. The survival rate and neurological outcomes at 28 days after injury were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 55 299 registered patients, 722 who experienced prehospital TCA were included in the analysis. The distribution of first-witnessed TCA was as follows: pre-emergency medical service (EMS) arrival (n = 426/722, 60.3%), after EMS arrival (n = 113/722, 16.0%), and after HEMS arrival (n = 168/722, 23.8%). The 28-day survival rate was 6.2% (n = 44/706), with a cerebral performance category of 1 or 2 in 18 patients. However, patients who experienced TCA after receiving interventions provided by physicians before HEMS arrival had the worst outcomes, with only 0.6% of them surviving with favorable neurological outcomes. Multivariable analysis revealed that securing the intravenous route by the EMS team (adjusted odds ratio: 2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-5.30) and tranexamic acid infusion by the HEMS team (adjusted odds ratio: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.16-6.64) may have increased the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) rate. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study were similar to those reported in previous studies with regards to the use of HEMS in Japan for transporting patients with TCA. Our findings suggest that in patients with severe trauma, cardiac arrest after initiation of HEMS, the highest level of prehospital medical intervention, may be associated with an inferior prognosis. Tracheal intubation and administration of tranexamic acid by the EMS team may increase the rate of ROSC in TCA.

Outcomes of patients with decompression illness transported by physician-staffed helicopter according to Japanese Registry data (2015-2020).

Objective: No nationwide reports have focused on patients with decompression illness (DCI) transported by doctor helicopter (DH) in Japan. We performed this retrospective study to examine this population using data from the Japan DH registry system (JDRS). Patients and Methods: Patients were initially selected from the JDRS database. They were divided into two groups: those transported by the Eastern Shizuoka DH (ES-DH) and those transported by other DHs. Variables were compared between the two groups. Results: There were 44 patients who had DCI out of 41,592 patients in the JDRS. The majority of cases (70%) were transported by the ES-DH. In the ES-DH group, age, rate of request type using key words, and rate of instrumental intervention to secure an airway were significantly greater, and the median Glasgow Coma Scale score was significantly lower than that of the other DH group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of cases with fatal outcomes between the two groups. Conclusions: This is the first report regarding the current status of patients with DCI transported by DH in Japan. Most patients were transported by ES-DH to the Izu Peninsula. In addition, the patients transported by ES-DH due to decompression illness tended to be severely ill; however, the outcomes of the ES-DH and other DH groups did not differ to a statistically significant extent and therefore effective recompression therapy could be successfully performed at suitable hospitals owing to timely transportation.

Usefulness of Key Word Methods to Execute Early Requests for a Physician-Staffed Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Dispatch to Facilitate Early Medical Intervention by Physicians.

OBJECTIVE: A physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service is called a doctor helicopter (DH) in Japan. We retrospectively investigated this service using a data bank provided by the Japan DH registry system. METHODS: The following details of the dispatch activity were collected: patient age and sex, vital signs (Japan Coma Scale [JCS], systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate) at the scene measured by emergency medical technicians (EMTs), dispatch of the DH before the EMTs made contact with patients (key words group) or after (control group), and the survival outcome at 1 month. RESULTS: During the investigation period, 28,357 patient records were analyzed (key words group, n = 13,861; control group, n = 14,496). The age, JCS, and respiratory rate were significantly smaller in the key words group than in the control group. The rates of male sex and survival in the key words group were significantly greater than those in the control group. In the multivariate analysis, dispatch of the DH after EMTs made contact with the patients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.92), female sex (OR = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.75-0.98), older age (OR = 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96-0.97), elevated respiratory rate (OR = 0.97; 95% CI, 0.97-0.98), and high JCS (OR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.99-0.99) were associated with a decreased 1-month survival (P > .0001). CONCLUSION: This is the first report to describe the key words method as a potential factor influencing optimal outcomes/potential survival rates in patients evacuated by the DH using the JDRS. Our study results suggest that the firefighting central command room should consider adopting the key words method when the helicopter emergency medical service is used.