• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.178-182
• /
• 2006

Compartment syndrome has a wide spectrum from muscle pain to a life- threatening condition, such as acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) due to compartment syndrome has not been reported. We report a patient who presented with ICH leading to death. A 25-year-old female with no significant past history developed extensive compartment syndrome followed by rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, DIC, and ICH. Although the patient underwent a fasciotomy and hemodialysis and received aggressive resuscitation with massive transfusions of blood and intravenous fluids, she died. This case stresses the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of compartment syndrome to prevent devastating complications.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.124-129
• /
• 2017

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections mainly involve respiratory tract; however, also can manifestate other symptoms by site involved. Extrapulmonary manifestations of M. pneumoniae infection are rarely known to occur without pneumonia. Herein we report a case of a 9-year-old boy who presented with acute cholestatic hepatitis in the absence of pneumonia. Rhabdomyolysis, skin rash, and initial laboratory results suspicious of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy were also observed in this patient. M. pneumoniae infection was identified by a 4-fold increase in immunoglobulin G antibodies to M. pneumoniae between acute and convalescent sera by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This is the first pediatric case in Korea of M. pneumoniae infection presenting with acute cholestatic hepatitis in the absence of pneumonia.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.63-67
• /
• 2004

A 5-year-old girl was admitted because of an acute onset of weakness in her extremities. She had experienced a similar episode before but had recovered spontaneously. She had previously been diagnosed with distal renal tubular acidosis(RTA) at the age of 2 months. During the period of acute paralysis, her serum potassium level was 1.8 mmol/L and the muscle enzymes were markedly raised suggesting massive rhabdomyolysis. Although hypokalemia is common in renal tubular acidosis, acute paralytic presentation is uncommon and is rarely described in children. We report a case of distal RTA complicated with hypokalemic paralysis with a brief review of related literatures.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.204-207
• /
• 2014

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) encompasses all forms of mesenteric ischemia with patent mesenteric arteries. NOMI is commonly caused by decreased cardiac output resulting in hypoperfusion of peripheral mesenteric arteries. We report a case of NOMI secondary to hemorrhagic shock and rhabdomyolysis due to trauma. A 42-year-old man presented to our trauma center following a pedestrian trauma. On arrival, he was drowsy and in a state of hemorrhagic shock. He was found to have multiple fractures, both lung contusion and urethral rupture. An initial physical examination and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed no evidence of intra-abdominal injury. High doses of catecholamine were administered for initial 3 days due to unstable vital sign. On day 25 of hospitalization, follow-up abdominal CT scan demonstrated that short segment of small bowel loop was dilated and bowel wall was not enhanced. During exploratory laparotomy, necrosis of the terminal ileum with intact mesentery was detected and ileocecectomy was performed. His postoperative course was uneventful and is under rehabilitation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.46-49
• /
• 2015

Carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication is a leading cause of severe neuropsychological impairments. Peripheral nerve injury has rarely been reported. Following are brief statements describing the motor peripheral neuropathy involved bilateral lower extremities of a patient who recovered following acute carbon monoxide poisoning. After inhalation of smoke from a fire, a 60-year-old woman experienced bilateral leg weakness without edema or injury. Neurological examination showed diplegia and deep tendon areflexia in lower limbs. There was no sensory deficit in lower extremities, and no cognitive disturbances were detected. Creatine kinase was normal. Electroneuromyogram patterns were compatible with the diagnosis of bilateral axonal injury. Clinical course after normobaric oxygen and rehabilitation therapy was marked by complete recovery of neurological disorders. Peripheral neuropathy is an unusual complication of CO intoxication. Motor peripheral neuropathy involvement of bilateral lower extremities is exceptional. Various mechanisms have been implicated, including nerve compression secondary to rhabdomyolysis, nerve ischemia due to hypoxia, and direct nerve toxicity of carbon monoxide. Prognosis is commonly excellent without sequelae. Emergency physicians should understand the possible-neurologic presentations of CO intoxication and make a proper decision regarding treatment.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.83-90
• /
• 2008

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are the most common source of human toxicity globally, causing high mortality and morbidity despite the availability of atropine as a specific antidote and oximes to reactivate acetylcholinesterase. The primary toxicity mechanism is inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AchE), resulting in accumulation of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, and abnormal stimulation of acetylcholine receptors. Thus, the symptoms (muscarinic, nicotinic, and central nervous system) result from cholinergic overactivity because of AchE inhibition. OP can also cause rhabdomyolysis, pancreatitis, parotitis, and hepatitis. OP therapy includes decontamination, supportive therapy, and the use of specific antidotes such as atropine and oximes. However, there has been a paucity of controlled trials in humans. Here we evaluated the literature for advances in therapeutic strategies for acute OP poisoning over the last 10 years.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.59-63
• /
• 2021

Copper sulfate is widely used as a fungicide and pesticide. Acute copper sulfate poisoning is rare but potentially lethal in severe cases. Copper sulfate can lead to cellular damage of red blood cells, hepatocytes, and myocytes. Toxic effects include intravascular hemolysis, acute tubular necrosis and, rhabdomyolysis. A 76-year-old man presented with vomiting and epigastric pain. He had ingested a copper-containing fungicide (about 13.5 g of copper sulfate) while attempting suicide 2 hours prior to presentation. From day 3 at the hospital, laboratory findings suggesting intravascular hemolysis were noted with increased serum creatinine level. He was treated with a chelating agent, dimercaptosuccinic acid (succimer). His anemia and acute kidney injury gradually resolved with a 19-day regimen of succimer. Our case suggests that succimer can be used for copper sulfate poisoning when other chelating agents are not available.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.198-201
• /
• 2010

This case report describes capture myopathy in an 8-month-old female red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus) that died after a 14-day history of depression, lameness and astasia following a bathing protocol for dermatitis. In a blood test performed the day after the wallaby fell down, serum chemistry showed a normal rangeof LDH but elevated CK, ALT and AST. Upon histopathologic examination after the animal's death, we found degeneration and necrosis of myofibers in skeletal muscle and myocardium. According to history that the wallaby was pressed by other individuals, suspected vitamin E insufficiency in the diet, physical stress during bathing as well as results of a blood test and microscopic examination, we diagnosed this case as capture myopathy. Although capture myopathy is a common problem in marsupials, this is the first reported case in Korea and understanding this case will help to manage future cases of capture myopathy in captive settings in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.296-304
• /
• 2018

Epiduroscopy is defined as a percutaneous, minimally invasive endoscopic investigation of the epidural space. Periduroscopy is currently used mainly as a diagnostic tool to directly visualize epidural adhesions in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), and as a therapeutic action in patients with low back pain by accurately administering drugs, releasing inflammation, washing the epidural space, and mechanically releasing the scars displayed. Considering epiduroscopy a minimally invasive technique should not lead to underestimating its potential complications. The purpose of this review is to summarize and explain the mechanisms of the side effects strictly related to the technique itself, leaving aside complications considered typical for any kind of extradural procedure (e.g. adverse reactions due to the administration of drugs or bleeding) and not fitting the usual concept of epiduroscopy for which the data on its real usefulness are still lacking. The most frequent complications and side effects of epiduroscopy can be summarized as non-persistent post-procedural low back and/or leg discomfort/pain, transient neurological symptoms (headache, hearing impairment, paresthesia), dural puncture with or without post dural puncture headache (PDPH), post-procedural visual impairment with retinal hemorrhage, encephalopathy resulting in rhabdomyolysis due to a dural tear, intradural cyst, as well as neurogenic bladder and seizures. We also report for first time, to our knowledge, a case of symptomatic pneumocephalus after epiduroscopy, and try to explain the reason for this event and the precautions to avoid this complication.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.71-77
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Acute endosulfan poisoning is rare but causes significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study is to describe complications and features of seizure and determine factors associated with mortality in acute endosulfan poisoning. Methods: Twenty-eight adult patients with acute endosulfan poisoning admitted to our emergency department during a 15-year period were studied retrospectively. The clinical features of seizure, use of antiepileptic drugs during seizure, and hospital courses were evaluated. Clinical factors between survived group and non-survived group were compared for identification of factors associated with mortality. Results: Of the 28 patients with endosulfan poisoning, 4 patients (14.3%) died and 15 (53.6%) patients developed generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Thirteen patients (46.4%) and 5 patients (17.9%) progressed to status epilepticus (SE) and refractory status epilepticus (RSE), respectively. SE and RSE were associated with mortality. Almost all significant complications including shock, acute renal failure, hepatic toxicity, rhabdomyolysis, and cardiac injury developed in SE and RSE patients. Conclusion: SE and RSE were important contributors to death in endosulfan poisoning. Emergency physicians treating endosulfan poisoning should make an effort not to progress seizure following endosulfan poisoning to SE and RSE using a rapid and aggressive antiepileptic drug.