Iatrogenic Causes Research Articles

Individual Pharmacotherapy Management (IPM-II) for Patient and Drug Safety in Polypharmacy via Clinical Electronic Health Record Is Associated with Significant Fall Prevention

Background/Objectives: Falls and fractures are emerging as a near-pandemic and major global health concern, placing an enormous burden on ageing patients and public health economies. Despite the high risk of polypharmacy in the elderly patients, falls are usually attributed to age-related changes. For the “Individual Pharmacotherapy Management (IPM)” established at the University Hospital Halle, the IPM medication adjustments and their association with in-hospital fall prevention were analysed. Methods: On the basis of the most updated digital overall patient view via his inpatient electronic health record (EHR), IPM adapts each drug’s Summary of Product Characteristics to the patient’s condition. A retrospective pre-post intervention study in geriatric traumatology on ≥70 years old patients compared 200 patients before IPM implementation (CG) with 204 patients from the IPM intervention period (IG) for the entire medication list, organ, cardiovascular and vital functions and fall risk parameters. Results: Statistically similar baseline data allowed a comparison of the average 80-year-old patient with a mean of 11.1 ± 4.9 (CG) versus 10.4 ± 3.6 (IG) medications. The IPM adjusted for drug-drug interactions, drug-disease interactions, overdoses, anticholinergic burden, adverse drug reactions, esp. from opioids inducing increased intrasynaptic serotonin, psychotropic drugs and benzodiazepines. IPM was associated with a significant reduction in in-hospital falls from 18 (9%) in CG to 3 (1.5%) in IG, a number needed to treat of 14, relative risk reduction 83%, OR 0.17 [95% CI 0.04; 0.76], p = 0.021 in multivariable regression analysis. Factors associated with falls were antipsychotics, digitoxin, corticosteroids, Würzburg pain drip (combination of tramadol, metamizole, metoclopramide), head injury, cognitive impairment and aspects of the Huhn Fall Risk Scale including urinary catheter. Conclusion: The results indicate medication risks constitute a major iatrogenic cause of falls in this population and support the use of EHR-based IPM in standard care for the prevention of falls in the elderly and for patient and drug safety. In terms of global efforts, IPM contributes to the running WHO and United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030).

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea: a case report and literature review

BackgroundCerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is a rare condition characterized by the abnormal leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the intracranial space into the sinonasal cavity. It includes various etiologies, including traumatic, iatrogenic, and spontaneous causes, each with distinct epidemiological and clinical characteristics.Case presentationA 40-year-old Asian female presented with a three-month history of watery discharge from her left nostril and dull headaches localized to the left side of her head. Despite the initial diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, symptoms persisted, leading to further evaluation and eventual diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Detailed history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests including fluid analysis and imaging confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent a successful surgical repair after failed conservative management, highlighting the importance of timely intervention.ConclusionCerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea poses significant risks if left untreated, including meningitis. Prompt recognition, accurate diagnosis, and individualized treatment strategies are crucial in mitigating complications and improving patient outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach, incorporating both conservative and surgical interventions tailored to the underlying cause, is essential for the successful management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.

Post-procedural Brachial Neuritis: Clinical, Electrodiagnostic and Neuroimaging features.

Brachial neuritis is a monophasic condition affecting the brachial plexus and its branches, manifesting as acute shoulder and upper arm pain, followed by weakness and paresthesias. It can be triggered by antecedent events, including procedures such as surgery. Misdiagnosis and delay in diagnosis is common. Imaging is important to confirm the diagnosis of post-procedural brachial neuritis and exclude other etiologies. Clinical, electrodiagnostic, and neuroimaging features of patients with post-procedural brachial neuritis from a single quaternary care institution were identified and analyzed. Six (2 female) patients were identified with median age 62 (range 49-70) years. Antecedent procedures included 4 cervical spine surgeries, 1 rotator cuff repair, and 1 central venous catheter placement. Time to symptom onset ranged from 1-day to 2-weeks. The initial symptom for 5/6 patients was severe upper extremity pain followed by weakness. All patients had electrodiagnostic tests and MR neurography consistent with brachial neuritis. MR neurogram showed plexus and/or terminal branch abnormalities with associated muscular denervation edema. The C5 or C6 root, and/or upper trunk were always involved. The most common branches affected were the suprascapular, long thoracic, and axillary nerves. Hourglass constrictions of these nerves were seen in 3/6 patients. The average time to diagnosis was 3.4 (range 1.5-5) months. Post-procedural brachial neuritis is an underrecognized cause of acute upper extremity pain and weakness. MR neurography can exclude iatrogenic causes and document the presence of hourglass constrictions in affected nerves. Diagnostic neuroradiologists should be aware of this clinical entity and associated neuroimaging findings. HGC = hourglass constriction; EDX = electrodiagnostic; IRB = Institutional Review Board; ACDF = anterior cervical discectomy and fusion; NRS = Numerical Rating Scale; MUAP = motor unit action potential.

Diagnosis, prevention and management of delirium: spot it, stop it, treat it

SUMMARY Delirium frequently occurs among hospital in-patients, with significant attributable healthcare costs. It is associated with long-term adverse outcomes, including an eightfold increased risk of subsequent dementia. The purpose of this article is to inform clinicians of the best practices for spotting, stopping and treating delirium and provide guidance on common challenging clinical dilemmas. For spotting delirium, suggested screening tools are the 4 ‘A's Test (in general medical settings) and the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU). Prevention is best achieved with multicomponent interventions and targeted strategies focusing on: (a) avoiding iatrogenic causes; (b) brain optimisation by ensuring smooth bodily functioning; (c) maintaining social interactions and normality. Non-pharmacological approaches are the first line for treatment; they largely mirror prevention strategies, but the focus of empirical evidence is on prevention. Although sufficient evidence is lacking for most pharmacological approaches, an antipsychotic at low doses for short durations may be of utility for highly distressing or high-risk situations, particularly in hyperactive delirium, but only as a last resort.

An epidemiological update on infective endocarditis: a two-decade retrospective longitudinal analysis

Abstract Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare yet serious condition affecting the heart valves and the endocardium. Despite advances in management, IE's incidence is on the rise, maintaining a mortality rate similar to that of the late 20th century. Notably, there has been a notable shift in the risk-factor profile, transitioning from traditional factors such as rheumatic heart disease and poor dental health to more iatrogenic causes such as prosthetic heart valves, cardiac devices, foreign body implants, haemodialysis, and immunosuppression. This shift impacts microbiological and imaging diagnosis. Purpose While IE has been extensively studied in the past, the evolving landscape prompts an epidemiological re-evaluation of vulnerable patient populations and the challenges in current diagnostic parameters. Our primary objective is to examine the trends in microbiological and imaging diagnostics over two decades and to compare them across native valve endocarditis (NVE), prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), and cardiac implantable electronic device-related IE (CIED-IE). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of longitudinal data encompassing 912 patients admitted with either a possible or definite IE diagnosis between 2001 and 2023. Results The incidence of IE increased over the study duration (p<0.01) with octogenarians most affected (21%). Iatrogenic risk factors were associated with nearly two-thirds (63%) of patients diagnosed with IE, while traditional risk factors were evident in almost one-eighth (13%). Blood culture-negative endocarditis increased over the study duration (81% versus73%, p<0.01) and Staphylococcus aureus (29%, p<0.01) became the dominant pathogen over Viridans Streptococcus (14%, p=0.001). Imaging with transthoracic (56% in 2004 versus 75% in 2023) and transoesophageal echocardiography (57% in 2004 versus 79% in 2023) had an increasing contribution in the diagnosis of IE over the two decades. The subgroup analysis found PVE and CIED-IE were more likely to have negative blood cultures (OR=3.7, CI [1.2-6.8] & OR=4.9, CI [1.3-8]) compared to NVE (OR=0.04, CI [0.02-0.8]). PVE and CIED-IE were more likely to have inconclusive imaging (OR=3.7, CI [1.2-6.6] & OR=2.2, CI [0.07-7.8]) compared to NVE (OR=0.63, CI [0.3-3.2]). Complications of stroke were higher in PVE (OR=3.5, CI [0.89-10]) compared to NVE which also had a lower stroke rate (OR=.16, CI [.04-.73]). PVE had more valvular insufficiency (OR=2.1, CI [0.6-4]) compared to NVE (OR=1.2, CI [0.9-6]). The 12-month mortality was no different across the entities (OR=0.3, CI [0.5-7.7] & OR=.49, CI [0.14-1.8] & OR=0.85, CI [0.3-2.4]). Conclusion Our study underscores the evolving nature of IE, now predominantly a healthcare-related disease. Diagnostic challenges persist due to the heterogeneity of the disease, with the emergence of distinct entities such as PVE and CIED-IE.Graphs: Blood culture & echocardiographyForest plot: NVE vs PVE vs CIED-IE

Evaluation of Visual Outcomes in Patients With Aberrated Corneas Implanted With the IC-8 Small-Aperture IOL.

To assess the visual outcomes in patients with cataract implanted with a small-aperture intraocular lens (IOL) in eyes with aberrated corneas. This prospective, non-interventional, single-center clinical study was conducted at Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore. Twenty-one patients with aberrated corneas had IC-8 IOL (Bausch & Lomb, Inc) implantation. An aberrated cornea was defined as from natural causes: keratoconus (n = 1, 4.8%), high coma (n = 2, 9.5%), corneal scar (n = 1, 4.8%), or iatrogenic causes: keratorefractive procedure (n = 17, 86%). Uncorrected and corrected visual acuities were measured at distance (600 cm) (UDVA and CDVA), intermediate (66.7 cm) (UIVA and CIVA), and near (40 cm) (UNVA and CIVA). Defocus curve was tested monocularly and binocularly. Contrast sensitivity (CS) was measured under photopic and mesopic conditions with and without glare. In IC-8 eyes, the mean ± standard deviation UDVA, UIVA, and UNVA was 0.24 ± 0.18, 0.19 ± 0.18, and 0.14 ± 0.14 logMAR, respectively. Mean CDVA, CIVA, and CNVA in IC-8 eyes was 0.12 ± 0.17, 0.16 ± 0.15, and 0.19 ± 0.13 logMAR, respectively. Binocular mean UDVA, UIVA, and UNVA was 0.07 ± 0.10, 0.07 ± 0.10, and 0.13 ± 0.12 logMAR, respectively. Defocus curve testing yielded a depth of focus of 1.50 D monocularly and 2.00 D binocularly at a 0.2 logMAR threshold. Photopic binocular CS with and without glare improved over monocular CS of IC-8 and fellow eyes under all spatial frequencies. Mesopic binocular CS with and without glare were similar among monocular IC-8 and fellow eyes across spatial frequencies. Most patients reported low levels of visual symptoms. The IC-8 IOL provides good monocular and binocular visual outcomes for patients with cataract who had aberrated corneas. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(10):e716-e723.].

The Management of Root Perforation: A Review of the Literature.

Root canal perforation is defined as an opening or communication of the root to the outer oral tissue that occurs either accidentally during root canal therapy or due to unknown pathological causes, which generally result in complications in patientsdue to the passage of microorganisms to the surrounding tissues. These complications may necessitate extraction of the affected tooth. In this literature review, 42 articles were reviewed initially; 33 of them were included in the final analysis based on exclusion and inclusion criteria. Root perforation may occur due to caries, external and internal resorption, trauma, as well as iatrogenic causes. Many studies have suggested that perforation can be identified by radiographs, unexpected bleeding and pain during instrumentation, blood on paper points, electronic apex locator, and dental operating microscope. Several materials have been used in endodontic perforation repairs, such as indium foil, super 2-ethoxybenzoic acid (super EBA), as well as bioceramic materials like mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and biodentine. These materials must achieve biocompatibility, bacteriostatic ability, and radio-opacity. Many studies have reported the superior properties of MTA in comparison with other materials. Based on our literature review, management of root perforation should be performed based on multiple significant factors. Clinicians must possess a comprehensive understanding of tooth anatomy to prevent perforation occurrence. Furthermore, clinical management and prognosis of root perforation have been enhanced by the availability of advanced materials and sealing techniques.

Laryngotracheal stenosis: a single-center retrospective analysis of endoscopic treatment strategies and recurrence.

Laryngotracheal stenosis is a process of fibrosis that results in airway obstruction; it may be congenital or acquired. Acquired cases are due to iatrogenic, traumatic, infectious and autoimmune causes. Patients present with a spectrum of breathing difficulties that might be fatal. This article presents a unique retrospective cross-sectional study of patients with laryngotracheal stenosis who had endoscopic dilatation, and some had open surgical procedures to describe the evolution after the therapy, to compare the outcomes of the dilatation in comparison to surgical interventions and associated complications in other studies, to provide knowledge to help in dealing with these patients, and to enable educated, independent patient decision-making. In this observational and descriptive study, we aimed to highlight the clinical features, management, and treatment outcomes among twenty-nine patients with laryngotracheal stenosis who were managed by open and endoscopic surgical intervention over a period of 5 years. Data were collected retrospectively from the patients' medical records from February 2016 until July 2022 at a hospital in Jerusalem, which is a tertiary healthcare facility and the only referral center for similar cases from the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, with a population of around 8 million. Tables and graphs are used to highlight the statistical study's findings. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel software. Twenty-nine patients were involved in the study, with an average age of 32.2 years; 51.7% of them were males. The patients had one or more chronic conditions, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease. The majority of patients (65.5%) had stenosis as a result of orotracheal intubation, and the most common site was the subglottic (68.9%). According to the Cotton-Myer classification, 44.8% of the patients were classified in grade III, 34.4% were included in grade I, 13.7% in grade II, and 6.8% in grade IV. Six patients (20.68%) received surgery for stenosis, and 23 patients had an endo-laryngeal dilatation. Restenosis happened in (58.6%). Mortality rates are almost negligible. Subglottic stenosis is still a challenging condition to manage. The authors describe a single-center experience approach dealing with these conditions. Long-term follow-up for these cases is mandatory as the recurrence rate is still high.

Development of a New Swine Model Resembling Human Empty Nose Syndrome.

Background and Objectives: Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a debilitating condition that often results from traumatic or iatrogenic causes, such as nasal surgery. There are various conservative and surgical treatments for ENS, but their effectiveness remains uncertain. Therefore, the development of animal models that accurately mimic human ENS is essential for advancing effective treatment strategies. Materials and Methods: To investigate ENS development, turbinoplasty was performed in the nasal cavity of swine, entailing partial removal of the ventral turbinate using turbinectomy scissors followed by electrocauterization. After 56 days, samples were obtained for histological and morphological analyses. Results: A significant reduction in the volume of the ventral turbinate in the ENS model led to an expansion of the nasal cavity. Histological analysis revealed mucosal epithelial changes similar to those observed in ENS patients, including squamous cell metaplasia, goblet cell metaplasia, submucosal fibrosis, and glandular atrophy. Biomarkers related to these histopathological features were identified, and signals potentially contributing to squamous cell metaplasia were elucidated. Conclusions: The swine ENS model is anticipated to be instrumental in unraveling the pathogenesis of ENS and may also be useful for evaluating the effectiveness of various treatments for ENS.

A Comparative Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Kushamoola and Bala Moola Churna in Raktapradara w.s.r to Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Raktapradara is a disease affecting the female reproductive system and manifesting as excessive bleeding per vagina. It is one of the major gynaecological issues associated with severe bleeding accompanied either with or no menstruation. This can be correlated to Dysfunctional uterine bleeding which is also called as abnormal uterine bleeding that presents without organic, systemic, and iatrogenic causes. Design: This was a randomized controlled comparative clinical study including 40 patients categorized into two groups as Group A and Group B. The present study evaluated the efficacy of Kushamoola churna and Balamoola mula churna with both subjective and objective parameters with 5 assessments as 1st day before the treatment, on 30th day after 1 month, 60th day after 2 months, 90th day after 3 months and the follow up was done on 120th day, 4th month. Intervention: Group A received Kushamoola mula churna 3gm with Tandulodaka anupana before food, thrice a day for 30 days from 5th day of the menstrual cycle in 3 cycles. Group B received Balamoola churna was with Sita and Tandulodaka as Anupana thrice a day 5th day of the menstrual cycle for 30 days in 3 cycles. Results: Both between and within groups with repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA) with Bonferroni showed significant changes in Group A (Kushamoola churna) compared to Group B (Balamoola churna) on pain, duration of the menstrual flow, interval between the menstrual cycle, amount of menstrual bleeding loss, consistency of bleeding, staining, intensity of pain during menstruation and colour of menstrual bleeding with (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Kushamoola churna is effective compared to Balamoola churna in patients suffering from Rakta pradara.

Traumatic middle meningeal arteriovenous fistulas (MMAVFs): an exploratory systematic review.

This study aims to systematically review case reports and case series in order to compare the postoperative course of conservative, endovascular and surgical treatments for traumatic dural arteriovenous fistulas predominantly supplied by the middle meningeal artery (MMAVFs), which usually occur following head trauma or iatrogenic causes. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar until June 23rd, 2024. Three cohorts were defined based on the treatment modality employed. The primary outcomes were the rates of overall obliteration and postoperative complications, with all-cause mortlality considered as secondary outcome. A total of 61 studies encompassing 78 pooled MMAVFs were included in the qualitative analysis. The predominant demographic consisted of males (53.9%) with a median age of 50.5 (IQR: 33.5-67.5) years. The main etiologies for fistula formation were head trauma (75.6%), cranial neurosurgical procedures (11.5%) and endovascular embolization (8.97%). Venous drainage patterns were categorized as follows based on anatomical confluence: Class I (16.7%), II (14.1%), III (12.8%), IV (14.1%), V (7.7%), and VI (3.9%). Regarding treatment efficacy, the overall obliteration rate was 89.74%, achieved through endovascular (95.83%), surgical (64.29%) or conservative (93.75%) approaches. In terms of safety, the overall postoperative complication rate was 6.49% with an all-cause mortality rate of 8.97%, predominantly observed in the surgical group (35.71%). Our systematic review highlights the challenging management of traumatic MMAVFs, frequently associated with head injuries. Endovascular therapy has emerged as the predominant treatment modality, demonstrating markedly higher rates of fistula obliteration, reduced all-cause mortality, and fewer postoperative complications.

Assessment of Knowledge and Practice on Prevention of Pressure Ulcer among Nurses in Palestine- Cross Sectional Study

Pressure Ulcers (PUs) are localized skin injuries caused by long-term compression of soft tissue between an external pressure source and a bony prominence. They are one of the iatrogenic causes of extra morbidity for hospitalized patients. This study aimed to assess knowledge and practices regarding preventing PUs among nurses in Palestine. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 430 nurses in various Palestinian hospitals and health centers between February 15, 2024, and April 14, 2024. Convenience sampling was used to collect samples for this study. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 27. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. The study showed that 65.61% of participants correctly answered questions about PU prevention. Regarding practice, 55.3% of nurses demonstrated a good level, with an average score of 2.37. Additionally, there was a significant association between demographic variables and levels of knowledge and practice in PU prevention, with P values ranging from 0.01 to 0.05. The study found that male nurses had higher knowledge and practice scores than female nurses, with significant differences in mean scores. The overall level of knowledge and practice among Palestinian nurses was found to be good; however, there is room for improvement in several aspects of both knowledge and practice. Variables such as gender, age, marital status, qualification, and job experience were found to have significant correlations with the level of knowledge and practice among nurses.

Traumatic encephalocele in the nasal cavity after 6 years of trauma: a case report

BackgroundEncephalocele refers to protrusion of the meninges and brain tissue through a skull bone defect. It results from congenital, traumatic, neoplastic, or spontaneous reasons. Traumatic encephalocele occurs because of the posttraumatic fracture of the skull bone or iatrogenic causes. The manifestations vary a lot, such as rhinorrhea, seizures, headaches, and focal neurological deficits.Case presentationA 20-year-old Syrian male presented to our department with the complaint of clear cerebrospinal fluid drainage from his right nostril, which started 6 years ago after a head trauma, moderate headache, and episodes of tonic–clonic seizures without any response to medical treatment. Then, 2 months ago, the patient had meningoencephalitis, so he was admitted to the intensive care unit and treated for a month until he was cured. The patient underwent radiological investigations, which showed that he had a base fracture with an encephalocele in the nasal cavity. The brain tissues with the meninges herniated through the skull base fracture with a significant expansion of the subarachnoid spaces in the right hemisphere. He was advised to undergo surgical repair at that time, but he refused the surgery. During this visit, surgery was indicated. The surgery was done by a specialist who returned the herniated brain tissues to their normal location, repaired the meninges, and reconstructed the skull base with bone cement and bio-glue. The patient’s recovery after the surgery was uneventful.ConclusionTraumatic encephalocele is a rare and unexpected complication of trauma, but we should keep it in mind when the patient comes with head trauma because of its life-threatening consequences. This complication can happen after years of trauma if the patient refuses treatment, therefore, we must educate patients about the dangerous results of neglecting cerebrospinal fluid leakage and skull fractures.

Acute Renal Infarction: A 12-Year Retrospective Analysis

Introduction: Acute renal infarction (ARI) is a relatively rare and underdiagnosed condition. Presenting symptoms are nonspecific, and imaging is the mainstay for diagnosis. This study attempts to characterize the profile of patients with ARI and identify possible risk factors. Methods: All inpatients admitted with diagnosis of ARI between 2010 and 2022 were included in this single-center retrospective observational study. Patients with chronic renal infarction, iatrogenic causes, and without radiographic evidence of ARI were excluded. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings of patients were collected. Patients were grouped into three groups based on probable etiology: cardiovascular, hypercoagulable disorders, and idiopathic, and analyzed. Results: Eighty-five patients were included. Mean age of patients was 61.6 ± 17.54 years. Cardiovascular group had the highest number of patients (49.4%) of which atrial fibrillation was the most common etiology (59.5%). Malignancy was the most common etiology in the hypercoagulable disorder group (69.3%). Patients in the idiopathic group were significantly younger and had higher mean body mass index than the other 2 groups at presentation. Smokers had 9 times higher risk of renal infarction in cardiovascular group and 1.7 times higher risk in hypercoagulable when compared to the idiopathic group. 48.2% of patients developed renal infarction though they were on antiplatelets/anticoagulants. Conclusion: ARI is a rare and often underdiagnosed condition that can have residual renal dysfunction. It is important to consider ARI as a differential especially in young patients with risk factors even if they are on anticoagulation medication.

Cervical epidural hematoma: a case series highlighting uncommon causes

BackgroundCervical epidural hematoma (CEH) is a rare but potentially devastating condition, characterized by the accumulation of blood within the epidural space of the cervical spine, leading to spinal cord compression (Perron AD, Huff JS. Spinal cord disorders. In: Marx JA, et al. editors. Rosen’s emergency medicine: concepts and clinical practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2013. pp. 1419–27.); (Raasck K, Habis AA, Aoude A, Simoes L, Barros F, Reindl R. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma management: a case series and literature review. Spinal Cord Ser Cases. 2017;3:16043. https://doi.org/10.1038/scsandc.2016.43.); (Ryo Yamamoto M, Ito H, Shimuzu K, Wakabayashi H, Oyama. Two cases of cervical epidural hematoma presenting with left-sided hemiplegia and requiring surgical drainage. Cureus. 2022;14(4):e23915. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.23915.). While trauma and iatrogenic causes are well-documented, cases attributed to neck strain and acupuncture are uncommon. (Raasck K, Habis AA, Aoude A, Simoes L, Barros F, Reindl R. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma management: a case series and literature review. Spinal Cord Ser Cases. 2017;3:16043. https://doi.org/10.1038/scsandc.2016.43.); (Shiraishi S, Goto I, Kuroiwa Y, Nishio S, Kinoshita K. Spinal cord injury as a complication of an acupuncture. Neurology. 1979;29(8):1188–90. https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.29.8.1188.) Here, we present two cases of CEH secondary to these unusual aetiologies. Both cases highlight the importance of considering uncommon causes of CEH to ensure early recognition and prompt treatment.Case presentationsCase 1 is an 81-year-old lady who presented with left hemiparesis and paraesthesia following a fall with neck strain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cervical spine revealed left C3-C7 epidural haematoma with severe cord compression. In Case 2, a 35-year-old gentleman experienced sudden onset numbness and weakness in all limbs just 10 minutes after receiving acupuncture. MRI showed an epidural hematoma at the C2-C4 levels. Both patients underwent immediate surgical decompression and had significant recovery.ConclusionAlthough CEH is a rare occurrence, it can potentially be a neurosurgical emergency. Physicians must remain cognizant of the diverse aetiologies associated with CEH and the necessity for early recognition and immediate treatment.

Intra-Abdominal Hemorrhage Due to Spontaneous Urinary Bladder Diverticulum Rupture in a Female: An Autopsy Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature

Urinary bladder diverticula are formed by the herniation of the mucosa into the muscle layer of the bladder wall, often ending with a narrow neck that communicates with the bladder lumen. They may be congenital or acquired, and they most often affect males. Urinary bladder diverticula discovery during autopsy incidence described in the literature is approximately 5–10%. Various causative factors have been described, including urinary tract obstruction (e.g., benign prostate hyperplasia) and neurogenic and iatrogenic causes. The most described site of occurrence is adjacent to the ureteral orifice. Their clinical presentation does not often facilitate diagnosis, as most are small and asymptomatic. Complications of urinary bladder diverticulosis include infections, lithiasis, neoplasia, pressure on adjacent tissues, obstruction, and rupture. Indeed, urinary bladder diverticula may lead to spontaneous bladder rupture in extremely rare cases. This paper presents the case of an 87-year-old female suffering from atrial fibrillation and under anticoagulant therapy who was pronounced dead in a hospital and was subsequently referred to our department for medico-legal examination. Upon macroscopic examination of the body, intra-abdominal hemorrhage was observed in the vicinity of the urinary bladder, extraperitoneally. A meticulous examination excluded the possibility of injury as the cause of this finding, and tissue samples were collected for histopathological examination. A ruptured urinary diverticulum was discovered and confirmed histopathologically. Death was attributed to intra-abdominal hemorrhage after rupture of urinary bladder diverticulum. A forensic pathologist should be aware of this diagnosis, as although extremely rare, such pathology may lead to death, especially when the patient is under anticoagulant therapy.

Overview of Unilateral and Bilateral Pediatric Facial Paralysis: Workup, Treatment, and Frontiers.

Pediatric facial nerve paralysis can present significant challenges based on its various etiologies, unique approach to treatment options, and overall outcomes. It can impact both the child and parent when regarding function, appearance, and psychosocial implications. The etiology of facial nerve palsy can include congenital, traumatic, iatrogenic, and idiopathic causes. In some, the paralysis is transient while others have permanent loss of function. A thorough evaluation and differential diagnosis are essential to guide treatment planning. The purpose of this paper is to review facial paralysis in children with a focus on surgical management.

CSF-venous fistulas associated with traumatic spinal pseudomeningoceles.

CSF-venous fistulas (CVFs) are a common cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. These fistulas usually occur without any preceding major trauma, surgery, or other iatrogenic cause. Occasionally, patients have a history of minor trauma, though such cases are usually still considered spontaneous. Little is known about predisposing factors that cause patients to develop spontaneous CVFs. Most patients with CVFs have multiple meningeal diverticula on spine imaging, and fistulas usually arise in association with a diverticulum. In the vast majority of cases, the culprit diverticulum from which the CVF arises is atraumatic in origin, presumably on the spectrum of normal variation in spinal anatomy. Here, we present two cases of CVFs that arose in association with posttraumatic pseudomeningoceles. To our knowledge, this phenomenon has not yet been reported, and it potentially represents a novel etiology for CVFs that furthers understanding of their pathogenesis.

Posttraumatic growth disturbances of the distal radius in childhood

Fractures of the distal radius in childhood are frequent but rarely lead to relevant growth disturbances. The experiences of apediatric trauma center over 15years are exemplarily presented and discussed. Osteotomies of the distal radius were selected and the clinical and radiological findings were recorded and analyzed. Posttraumatic growth disturbances were corrected in 10 cases with amedian age of 13 ½ years. In six cases an iatrogenic cause was also possible. In two cases callus distraction with secondary palmar plate osteosynthesis was used for consolidation. In eight cases primary ad hoc corrections were carried out using palmar plate osteosynthesis (six with iliac crest and two with allogeneic grafts). In five cases the distal ulnar growth plate was also addressed. During follow-up breakage of one plate was registered. After an average of 31months postoperatively, 9 children had full range of motion (ROM) and in 1 case there was an extension deficit of 10o. It is important to evaluate the cause of the mostly partially inhibiting growth disturbances to draw preventive conclusions. From a clinical perspective the visible deformity is given priority and the pain and functional limitations are less relevant. The indications for corrective surgery must include the age of the patient, remaining growth potential, size and localization of the growth plate bridge, the deformity and the individual wishes of patients and parents. In most cases afull correction is possible with palmar plate osteosynthesis and an iliac crest graft. External fixation and callus distraction is an alternative in cases where the correction is more extensive. The distal ulnar growth plate should be controlled concerning further growth potential before hardware removal.

Characterization of a cohort of patients with hypercalcemia in a tertiary pediatric hospital.

Introduction. Hypercalcemia is infrequent in pediatrics, of diverse etiology, and with multiorgan morbidity. Objective. Describe the etiology, biochemistry, clinical, and treatment in pediatric patients with hypercalcemia. Population and methods. Retrospective and descriptive study of a cohort of patients with hypercalcemia between 2008 and 2022. They were classified into three groups (G): hypercalcemia of iatrogenic cause (G1), parathyroid hormone (PTH) independent (G2), or PTH-dependent (G3). Results. One hundred forty-seven patients were included; 57% were male, with a median age of 3.7 years, median calcemia of 11.8 mg/dl, and mean phosphatemia of 4.9 mg/dl. Symptoms were present in 29% of patients, and 28.6% required additional treatments to those of the first line. In G1, 76 patients (51.7%) were included; in G2, 58 (39.4%), and in G3, 13 (8.8%). Median calcemia was lower in G1 vs. G2 and G3 (11.6 mg/dl, 12.6 mg/dl, and 12.3 mg/dl), and mean phosphatemia was lower in G3 vs. G1 and G2 (3.7 mg/dl, 5.3 mg/dl, and 4.9 mg/dl). Most of the patients with hypercalcemia were asymptomatic and did not require additional treatments. The percentage of symptomatic patients and the percentage requiring additional treatment were lower in G1 than in the other two groups. Conclusions. Iatrogenesis was the most frequent cause, presenting lower calcemia, while PTH-dependent causes presented the lowest phosphatemia. PTH-independent causes represented a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to lacking a characteristic biochemical profile.