Predictors of abnormal electroencephalogram and neuroimaging in children presenting to the emergency department with new-onset afebrile seizures.

BACKGROUND: Electroencephalogram and neuroimaging in pediatric patients with new-onset afebrile seizures are performed to detect any underlying pathological severe condition that may require emergent neuro-intervention and guide prognosis. This study aims to determine the predictors of abnormal EEG and neuroimaging in children presenting to the emergency department with new-onset afebrile seizures. METHODS: This single-center cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, from July 01, 2019, to June 30, 2021. All patients aged one month to 18 years who presented with new-onset afebrile seizures were included. Demographic and clinical data were recorded, including age, gender, seizure type, duration of seizure, associated signs and symptoms, and disposition. Multivariable regression analysis was applied to determine the predictors of abnormal EEG and CT scan or MRI findings. RESULTS: Out of 201 participants, most patients were in the infantile age group (41.3%), with an equal gender distribution. The most common type of seizure was generalized onset 152 (75.6%). EEG was performed on a total of 126 patients (62.7%) and out of these patients, 67 patients (53.1%) had abnormal findings. In a multivariable analysis, the age group of 5 to 10 years and seizure duration of more than 5 min were significantly associated with higher odds of abnormal EEG findings. In contrast, only the focal onset of seizure was significantly associated with higher odds of abnormal neuroimaging findings. CONCLUSION: The study emphasizes the need for a protocol regarding the performance of EEG and neuroimaging in children presenting to the ED with new-onset afebrile seizures that would aid emergency physicians in the direction of appropriate management, thus ensuring a better quality of patient care and outcomes.

Management of a giant carbuncle on the posterior trunk with excision and grafting.

Carbuncle is a painful subcutaneous mass of interconnected infected hair follicles with multiple discharging sinuses. It has predisposition in conditions like diabetes, immune-compromised states, chronic skin diseases etc. The authors present a case of a 67 year old diabetic male admitted in July 2020 at Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital (ANTH) Islamabad, with a giant carbuncle on his back. Due to its large size, systemic co-morbidity, and increased risk of complications in surgical treatment, a multi-disciplinary team approach was employed. Both general and plastic surgeons were involved, who performed excision and soft tissue coverage respectively. The aim of the surgical intervention methods, like wide excision and debridement, application of vacuum assisted wound closure (VAC), and skin grafting was to minimise the healing time and risk of development of post-operative infection. The patient was surgically managed and sent home in a good condition.

Subclinical hyperthyroidism presenting with hypokalemic periodic paralysis in the emergency department.

Subclinical hyperthyroidism (SH) is a condition in which blood levels of Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) are normal in the presence of low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Patients with SH have either no symptoms or mild nonspecific symptoms. Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) is one of the rare presentations of overt hyperthyroidism; however, only a few cases are reported to date to occur with SH. This case report presents a case of a young Asian male who was admitted to the emergency department (ED) with paralysis of the lower extremities that progressed to the upper extremities and neck muscles in 2 days. Clinically, he was euthyroid; however, his thyroid profile revealed normal levels of T3 and T4 with undetectable TSH levels. This case report aims to add to the limited literature on SH that presents with HPP in the ED.