Helicobacter cinaedi Infections in Emergency Departments: A Descriptive Study.

AIM: Helicobacter cinaedi, a Gram-negative spiral bacterium, is a rare cause of bacteremia in humans. Unfortunately, little is known about H. cinaedi infections in emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to describe the clinical features of H. cinaedi infections in the ED. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study at the ED of Kobe City General Hospital (KCGH) in Japan between November 2011 and December 2020. We included all ED patients with H. cinaedi infections. We retrospectively obtained the patient data from electronic medical records and described the patient characteristics, clinical course, and management of H. cinaedi infections. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients in the ED were diagnosed with H. cinaedi infections, and all of them were detected through blood cultures. The chief complaints were vague: fever (18/22, 81.8%), chills (10/22, 45.5%), and localized pain or tenderness (8/22, 36.4%). Patients with complicated cases were also reported in the ED; three patients had vertebral osteomyelitis, two had infected aortic aneurysms, and another two had infected cysts (renal cyst and pancreatic cyst with concomitant empyema). Tetracycline (minocycline) was primarily prescribed and administered intravenously in five of 15 (33.3%) and orally in nine of 20 (45.0%) patients. Only one (4.5%) patient required surgical interventions. None of the patients died in the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: We reported the clinical features of H. cinaedi infections in the ED. Although some patients developed complicated infections, the prognosis was not poor under appropriate treatment, and most of them were successfully treated with antibiotics, primarily tetracycline.

Etiology and clinical characteristics of patients with severely impaired consciousness in prehospital settings: A retrospective study.

Aim: To examine the causes of patients with severely impaired consciousness and the clinical characteristics in prehospital settings that are useful for differential diagnosis, especially stroke. Methods: We retrospectively examined patients aged ≥16 years with Japan Coma Scale III-digit codes during paramedic contact and transported to our hospital between January 2018 and December 2018. Furthermore, we examined background and physical findings of patients at final diagnosis, and also examined factors associated with stroke. Results: Overall, 227 patients were included in this study. One hundred and twelve patients (49.3%) were male, and the median age was 71 years (interquartile range, 50-83 years). Stroke was the most common cause (30%). Intoxication and psychiatric disorders were significantly more common in younger patients (p < 0.01). Systolic blood pressure was the highest in patients with stroke. Mortality was the highest in stroke (55.9%). Systolic blood pressure, airway compromise, and ocular abnormalities were factors associated with stroke, with odds ratios of 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.04), 6.88 (95% CI, 3.02-15.64), and 3.86 (95% CI, 1.61-9.27), respectively. Conclusion: Stroke was the most common cause of severely impaired consciousness. Age could be a useful indicator to consider intoxication and psychiatric disorders. Systolic blood pressure, airway compromise, and ocular abnormalities were factors associated with stroke in the prehospital setting.

The necessity of lumbar puncture in adult emergency patients with fever-associated seizures.

OBJECTIVE: Central nervous system (CNS) infections are often suspected in adult patients with fever-associated seizures. However, it is unclear whether lumbar puncture (LP) is routinely required in patients with fever-associated seizures. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of meningitis and encephalitis in adult patients with fever-associated seizures and to evaluate whether LP is routinely required. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients aged ≥16 years who presented to the emergency department with complaints of seizures and fever above 37.5 °C who were admitted to the hospital between January 2017 and December 2019. LP was performed when the emergency physician suspected meningitis or encephalitis. Neurologists assessed patients with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings and those admitted without LP after hospitalization. A neurologist confirmed the diagnoses of meningitis and encephalitis. RESULTS: The study included 148 patients. Ninety-seven patients (65.5%) were male, and the median age was 60 years. LP was performed in 105 patients (70.9%), and 14 (13.4%) had CSF pleocytosis. Meningitis and encephalitis were diagnosed in nine patients (6.1%), of whom four (2.8%) had CNS infections. Patients diagnosed with meningitis and encephalitis were more likely to have Glasgow Coma Scale <13 (P = 0.03) and less likely to have a history of seizures or epilepsy (P = 0.04) and had higher C-reactive protein levels than the other patients (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of meningitis or encephalitis is relatively low in adult patients with fever-associated seizures. Lumbar puncture is considered unnecessary to be performed routinely, but its indication should be carefully considered with reference to the clinical course, comorbidities, and blood tests. Further validation studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the findings of this study.

Visceral disseminated varicella zoster infection: a rare cause of acute abdomen in a patient with well-controlled diabetes mellitus-a case report.

BACKGROUND: Visceral disseminated varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections frequently affect immunocompromised patients. Diabetes mellitus has been associated with VZV infection, and most cases of disseminated infection involve patients with poorly controlled blood glucose levels. It initially presents as severe abdominal pain, which is evaluated as an acute abdomen, however, the cause is typically unidentified due to unremarkable computed tomography (CT) findings. We report a case of visceral disseminated VZV infection in a patient with well-controlled diabetes mellitus with fat stranding around the celiac and superior mesenteric artery on CT. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old Japanese woman with well-controlled diabetes mellitus presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain that gradually worsened. She had stable vital signs and skin rashes, suggestive of varicella. Abdominal CT showed fat stranding around the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries. The patient tested positive for the VZV antigen and was diagnosed with a visceral disseminated VZV infection. Acyclovir was administered, and the patient was discharged on the 14th day. CONCLUSIONS: Visceral disseminated VZV infection may affect patients with well-controlled diabetes mellitus and causes acute abdomen. Periarterial fat stranding on CT is associated with abdominal pain due to visceral disseminated VZV infection.

Head CT findings and deterioration risk in children with head injuries and Glasgow Coma Scales of 15.

OBJECTIVE: Head injuries are an important problem in pediatric emergency care. The majority of head injuries are mild. Even when abnormalities are noted on computed tomography (CT), most patients have good outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the clinical course of pediatric patients who had head injuries and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 15, in whom abnormal findings were noted on head CT, to determine the impact of radiographic features on the need for hospitalization and clinical progression. METHODS: We retrospectively examined patients under 15 years of age with isolated mild head injuries, GCS scores of 15, and abnormal CT findings, and visited the emergency department between September 2011 and March 2019. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients were included in the study. The median age was 2 years (0-15 years), and 61 (62%) patients were male. Eighty-six (87%) patients were hospitalized, and the median hospital stay was 1 day (1-10 days). Sixty-eight (69%) patients underwent repeat CT, and 12 (18%) patients showed signs of radiographic progression. These 12 patients had subdural or epidural hematomas, and surgical intervention was required for two patients (2%). In patients with isolated skull fracture or subarachnoid hemorrhage alone, no deterioration was noted radiographically or clinically. CONCLUSION: Pediatric head injuries with GCS scores of 15 may rarely require surgical intervention, even when CT shows abnormalities. In particular, patients diagnosed with isolated skull fracture or subarachnoid hemorrhage on CT may not require routine hospitalization. A validation study is needed to confirm the findings of this study.

High fever or hypotension predicts non-hypoglycemia in patients with impaired consciousness in prehospital settings.

AIM: To evaluate whether vital signs can predict whether hypoglycemia can be eliminated as the cause of impaired consciousness in prehospital settings. METHODS: We extracted the data of patients who underwent blood glucose measurements by paramedics in Kobe City, Japan from April 2015 to March 2019. We used receiver operating characteristic curves and calculated the area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate the validity of the vital signs in distinguishing hypoglycemia. We also calculated stratum-specific likelihood ratios to examine the threshold at which hypoglycemia becomes less likely for each vital sign. RESULTS: Of the 1,791 patients, 1,242 were eligible for analysis. Hypoglycemia was observed in 324 patients (26.1%). Significant differences in each vital sign were noted between the hypoglycemic and non-hypoglycemic groups. Body temperature was moderately accurate in differentiating between the two groups (AUC, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.74). Furthermore, in patients with systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg and body temperature ≥38°C, it was unlikely that hypoglycemia caused impaired consciousness (stratum-specific likelihood ratios 0.12 and 0.15; 95% confidence intervals, 0.05-0.25 and 0.06-0.35, respectively). CONCLUSION: In the prehospital assessment of patients with impaired consciousness, high fever or hypotension was helpful in differentiating between hypoglycemia and non-hypoglycemia. In particular, body temperature ≥38°C or systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg indicated a low likelihood of hypoglycemia. A validation study is needed to confirm the findings in this study.

Tension pneumoperitoneum caused by intestinal perforation from underlying colon cancer: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tension pneumoperitoneum, a form of abdominal compartment syndrome, is an important clinical condition. Increased pressure in the intraperitoneal cavity leads to respiratory and circulatory instability. Most of the reported cases include complications due to active air infusion into the peritoneal cavity or trauma; however, few reports are available on tension pneumoperitoneum caused by perforation from colon cancer. We present a case of a patient with tension pneumoperitoneum caused by gastrointestinal perforation owing to colon cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old Japanese man with altered mental state was brought to our emergency department. He was in shock, and an abdominal radiograph suggested gastrointestinal perforation. Despite rapid fluid infusion and inotropic support, his condition deteriorated. His abdomen was tensely distended; abdominal computed tomography showed significant intra-abdominal gas. Following immediate needle decompression, his circulatory status improved. Emergent laparotomy revealed an approximately 10-cm tumor (adenocarcinoma) in the colon, which caused the perforation. CONCLUSIONS: A perforated wall or the surrounding omental fat that acts as a one-way valve could lead to tension pneumoperitoneum without active air infusion. Although tension pneumoperitoneum is a life-threatening condition, it is reversible if prompt diagnosis and immediate decompression are performed. Physicians should always consider this condition as one of the causes of shock or cardiopulmonary arrest, even without an apparent medical history of active air infusion or trauma.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome: A Rare Childhood Case with Unconsciousness.

BACKGROUND: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a condition characterized by seizures, altered consciousness, visual disturbances, and headache. Characteristic findings on neuroimaging include cerebral edema, typically involving the parieto-occipital white matter. PRES has been associated with hypertension, autoimmune disease, and Henoch-Schölein purpura (HSP), but few cases have been reported, and fewer cases of PRES have been reported in children. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 4-year-old girl who presented with blindness and semi-consciousness. The patient had no significant medical history and no abnormalities on physical examination or laboratory testing, although she had slightly elevated blood pressure. After hospitalization, the patient showed some characteristic signs of HSP and cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed PRES as the cause of semi-consciousness. In our discussion, we examine the clinical features of PRES and remarkable points for the clinical diagnosis and management of this rare but important disease. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Although reports of PRES in children are rare, PRES should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with disturbance of consciousness. Emergency physicians should consult with pediatric physicians to confirm diagnoses of PRES and determine an appropriate treatment plan, given its variable etiology. Measurements of blood pressure, which are often missing in pediatric cases, can help physicians to arrive at a correct diagnosis.

An autopsy case of zinc chloride poisoning.

Ingestion of large amounts of zinc chloride causes corrosive gastroenteritis with vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Some individuals experience shock after ingesting large amounts of zinc chloride, resulting in fatality. Here, we present the results of an administrative autopsy performed on a 70-year-old man who ingested zinc chloride solution and died. After drinking the solution, he developed vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, and called for an ambulance. Except for tachycardia, his vital signs were stable at presentation. However, he developed hypotension and severe metabolic acidosis and died. The patient's blood zinc concentration on arrival was high at 3030µg/dL. Liver cirrhosis with cloudy yellow ascites was observed, however, there were no clear findings of gastrointestinal perforation. The gastric mucosa was gray-brown, with sclerosis present in all gastric wall layers. Zinc staining was strongly positive in all layers. There was almost no postmortem degeneration of the gastric mucosal epithelium, and hypercontracture of the smooth muscle layer was observed. Measurement of the zinc concentration in the organs revealed the highest concentration in the gastric mucosa, followed by the pancreas and spleen. Clinically, corrosive gastroenteritis was the cause of death. However, although autopsy revealed solidification in the esophagus and gastric mucosa, there were no findings in the small or large intestine. Therefore, metabolic acidosis resulting from organ damage was the direct cause of death.