Levamisole-Adulterated Cocaine Leading to Fatal Vasculitis: A Case Report

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda B. Hammond ◽  
Jordan Craven
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Severe Neutropenia ◽  
Peripheral Blood Flow ◽  
Entire Body ◽  
Tissue Necrosis ◽  
Cutaneous Lesions ◽  
Cocaine Use ◽  
Hands And Feet ◽  
Parasitic Worms

Cocaine is often “cut” with various additives to increase the profitability of the drug. One of the most common additives on today’s market is levamisole, an anthelmintic medication used to destroy and expel parasitic worms in animals. The use of levamisole-contaminated cocaine can result in agranulocytosis and vasculitis (inflammation and constriction of small blood vessels). The resulting clotting and decrease in peripheral blood flow lead to cutaneous lesions, particularly on the ears, face, hands, and feet, and in severe cases can cause generalized tissue necrosis throughout the entire body. Treatment is generally supportive, and symptoms typically abate with complete cessation of cocaine use. However, symptoms may recur with subsequent cocaine use and, as this case illustrates, severe neutropenia and extensive vasculitis may lead to overwhelming sepsis and death.

50 Years of Computer Simulation of the Human Thermoregulatory System

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel W. Hensley ◽  
Andrew E. Mark ◽  
Jayvee R. Abella ◽  
George M. Netscher ◽  
Eugene H. Wissler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Skin Blood Flow ◽  
Blood Perfusion ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Glabrous Skin ◽  
Entire Body ◽  
Dynamic Regulation ◽  
Therapeutic Procedures ◽  
Hands And Feet

This paper presents an updated and augmented version of the Wissler human thermoregulation model that has been developed continuously over the past 50 years. The existing Fortran code is translated into C with extensive embedded commentary. A graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed in Python to facilitate convenient user designation of input and output variables and formatting of data presentation. Use of the code with the GUI is described and demonstrated. New physiological elements were added to the model to represent the hands and feet, including the unique vascular structures adapted for heat transfer associated with glabrous skin. The heat transfer function and efficacy of glabrous skin is unique within the entire body based on the capacity for a very high rate of blood perfusion and the novel capability for dynamic regulation of blood flow. The model was applied to quantify the absolute and relative contributions of glabrous skin flow to thermoregulation for varying levels of blood perfusion. The model also was used to demonstrate how the unique features of glabrous skin blood flow may be recruited to implement thermal therapeutic procedures. We have developed proprietary methods to manipulate the control of glabrous skin blood flow in conjunction with therapeutic devices and simulated the effect of these methods with the model.

Ultrasound features of peripheral angiodistonic syndrome of the upper extremities in vibration disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (11) ◽  
pp. 815-817
Author(s):  
Nadezhda I. Kuprina ◽  
Ekaterina V. Ulanovskaya ◽  
Olga A. Kochetova
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Heart Defects ◽  
Peripheral Resistance ◽  
Resistance Index ◽  
Ulnar Artery ◽  
Upper Extremities ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Peripheral Blood Flow ◽  
Pronounced Increase ◽  
Vibration Disease

Introduction. Vibration disease (VD) is an example of the most common pathology due to the systematic exposure of the worker to intense vibration with sufficient work experience, the main manifestation of which is peripheral angiodystonic syndrome. The aim of study was to learn the features of peripheral blood flow in the arteries of the forearm in vibration disease using the ultrasound method. Materials and methods. The radial and ulnar arteries in patients with vibration disease were examined by ultrasound in B- and PW-mode. These materials present the results of an ultrasound assessment of the speed indicators of the main arteries of the forearm in vibration disease stages 1 and 2. The selection criteria for patients in the study ware the presence of pronounced clinical manifestations of angiodystonic syndrome in vibration disease, confirmed by instrumental research methods and data on the sanitary and hygienic characteristics of working conditions, the absence of cardiovascular chronic diseases (ischemic heart disease, heart defects, rhythm and conduction disturbances), rheumatic, oncological, infectious diseases, osteo-traumatic changes in the upper extremities. Results. The groups of patients with the established diagnosis of vibration disease of 1 and 2 degrees were studied. With vibration disease stage 1 a decrease in the pulse velocity of blood flow was observed in isolation on the ulnar artery and an increase in peripheral resistance (pulsation index and resistance index) in the radial and ulnar arteries symmetrically on both upper extremities. The second stage of vibration disease differed from the first by a more significant decrease in speed indicators both on the ulnar and radial arteries on both sides, symmetrically in combination with a more pronounced increase in peripheral resistance indicators on both main arteries of the forearm (pulsation index and resistance index). The revealed changes were determined with the same frequency in men and women. Conclusions. A significant decrease in speed indicators on the ulnar artery and an increase in peripheral resistance indicators are detected already at the initial stages of vibration disease. Thus, the method of ultrasound examination of the main arteries of the middle caliber of the upper extremities is currently the only available and objective method for examining the vascular system in vibration disease.

scholarly journals Paliperidone induced neutropenia in first episode psychosis: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Martos ◽  
William Hall ◽  
Alicia Marhefka ◽  
Thomas W. Sedlak ◽  
Frederick C. Nucifora
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Case Report ◽  
The United States ◽  
First Episode Psychosis ◽  
Potential Adverse Effect ◽  
Severe Neutropenia ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Antipsychotic Medications ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Episode Psychosis

Abstract Background Neutropenia, a decrease in total number of neutrophils below 1500/mm3 and particularly severe neutropenia, defined as neutrophils less than 500/mm3, is a potential adverse effect of antipsychotic medications that can lead to increased risk of infections and death. However, much of the attention on the potential adverse effect is centered exclusively on clozapine, which remains the only antipsychotic medication in the United States requiring standardized monitoring of blood work. We demonstrate here that paliperidone can also cause neutropenia and therefore clinicians should be aware of this possibility especially during initiation of treatment. Case presentation The following report presents the case of a 23-year-old African American male with first episode psychosis who developed neutropenia after initiation of paliperidone. Neutropenia resolved after discontinuation of paliperidone and initiation of an alternative antipsychotic, haloperidol. Conclusions This case report demonstrates an example of paliperidone induced neutropenia which resolved with a switch to haloperidol. We conclude that when initiating paliperidone, clinicians should be more aware of the risk of neutropenia. Moreover, neutropenia may be a more common and overlooked issue in patients on antipsychotic medications other than clozapine and increased awareness of comparative risk across antipsychotics could help direct treatment.

Blood-flow Restriction Training for a Person With Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan T Cohen ◽  
Nicole Cleffi ◽  
Marianne Ingersoll ◽  
Herb I Karpatkin
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Blood Flow Restriction ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Primary Progressive ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Strength Tests

Abstract Objective Blood flow restriction (BFR) training, in which an inflatable cuff partially occludes blood flow around the proximal portion of a limb, coupled with low-intensity resistance training (LIRT) has resulted in gains comparable to traditional progressive resistive exercise in healthy populations. The use of BFR with LIRT may enable people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to improve strength without an increase in fatigue. The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of a BFR/LIRT program for a person with MS. Methods (Case Description) The patient was a 54-year-old woman with a 13-year history of primary progressive MS with an Extended Disability Severity Score of 3.0 out of 10. She received a BFR/LIRT program for both lower extremities (LE) biweekly for 12 weeks. Outcomes measured at baseline and at 6 and 12 weeks included the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) (goals: running for exercise and pleasure for 45 minutes, 100% confidence in negotiating a flight of stairs, confidently and safely drive without restriction), and 14 LE strength tests. Results The intervention was well tolerated without adverse events. After 6 weeks, the MSWS-12 score improved; however, it did not exceed minimum detectable change (MDC). FSS was unchanged. All PSFS goals improved beyond MDC, and improvements in strength exceeded MDC in 2 out of 14 tests. After 12 weeks, MSWS-12 improvements persisted and the FSS score improved, but neither exceeded MDC. The PSFS improvements persisted. There were improvements exceeding MDC for 8 out of 14 strength tests. The remaining 6 strength tests improved but did not exceed MDC. Conclusion The patient had measurable improvements following the use of a BFR/LIRT program. BFR/LIRT may be an option for strength training in people with MS; however, research is needed to determine its safety and effectiveness across the population of people with MS. Impact Traditional physical therapist interventions for people with MS have been shown to be beneficial; however, their usefulness has been limited by fatigue. A growing body of literature has demonstrated the effects of a BFR/LIRT program on strength and other measures of physical function in healthy populations and those with chronic disease. This case report adds missing information to the existing literature and suggests directions for research on the effectiveness of BFR/LIRT in people with primary progressive MS.

scholarly journals Neurological determination of death in isolated brainstem lesions: A case report to highlight the issues involved

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Manara ◽  
Panayiotis Varelas ◽  
Martin Smith
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Cerebral Circulation ◽  
Posterior Circulation ◽  
Determination Of Death ◽  
International Consensus ◽  
Brainstem Lesions ◽  
Posterior Cerebral Circulation ◽  
Isolated Brainstem

The neurological determination of death in patients with isolated brainstem lesions or by disruption of the posterior cerebral circulation is uncommon and many intensivists may never see such a case in their career. It is also the only major difference between the “whole brain” and “brain stem” formulations for the neurological determination of death. We present a case of a patient with infarction of the structures supplied by the posterior cerebral circulation in whom death was diagnosed using neurological criteria, to illustrate the issues involved. We also suggest that international consensus may be achieved if ancillary tests, such as CT angiography, are made mandatory in this situation o demonstrate loss of blood flow in the anterior cerebral circulation as well the posterior circulation.

scholarly journals Leishmania mexicana in a central Texas cat: clinical presentation, molecular identification, sandfly vector collection and novel management

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 205511692199959
Author(s):  
Kaitlin Hopke ◽  
Alyssa Meyers ◽  
Lisa Auckland ◽  
Sarah Hamer ◽  
David Florin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Clinical Success ◽  
Leishmania Species ◽  
Canine Leishmaniosis ◽  
Leishmania Mexicana ◽  
Cutaneous Lesions ◽  
Clinical Appearance ◽  
Significant Clinical Improvement ◽  
Central Texas ◽  
The Right

Case summary This case report documents the clinical appearance, diagnosis and novel treatment of a central Texas cat with cutaneous leishmaniosis. The cat presented with a linear erosion on the right pinnal margin, an ulcerated exophytic nodule on the right hock and a swelling in the right nostril. Cytological and histopathological findings were consistent with leishmaniosis. PCR confirmed the presence of Leishmania mexicana, a species endemic to Texas. An epidemiological investigation was conducted by trapping sandflies from the cat’s environment. Sandflies collected were identified as Lutzomyia species, known vectors of Leishmania species. Given the lack of validated medical therapies for L mexicana in cats, treatments typically prescribed for canine leishmaniosis were administered. Allopurinol achieved clinical success but was discontinued due to suspected drug-related neutropenia. Topical imiquimod also improved lesional skin but was not sustainable due to application difficulty. Oral administration of artemisinin resulted in significant clinical improvement of cutaneous lesions without reported adverse events. Nearly 8 months after the initiation of artemisinin therapy, the cat remained systemically healthy with stable lesions. Relevance and novel information This case report demonstrates endemic feline leishmaniosis in central Texas and provides the clinician with alternative therapeutic options for medical management.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document