scholarly journals Intravenous methadone causes acute toxic and delayed inflammatory encephalopathy with persistent neurocognitive impairments

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Repple ◽  
Svea Haessner ◽  
Andreas Johnen ◽  
Nils C. Landmeyer ◽  
Andreas Schulte-Mecklenbeck ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The mu-opioid agonist methadone is administered orally and used in opioid detoxification and in the treatment of moderate-to-severe pain. Acute oral methadone–use and –abuse have been associated with inflammatory and toxic central nervous system (CNS) damage in some cases and cognitive deficits can develop in long-term methadone users. In contrast, reports of intravenous methadone adverse effects are rare. Case presentation Here, we report a patient who developed acute bilateral hearing loss, ataxia and paraparesis subsequently to intravenous methadone-abuse. While the patient gradually recovered from these deficits, widespread magnetic resonance imaging changes progressed and delayed-onset encephalopathy with signs of cortical dysfunction persisted. This was associated with changes in the composition of monocyte and natural killer cell subsets in the cerebrospinal fluid. Conclusion This case suggests a potential bi-phasic primary toxic and secondary inflammatory CNS damage induced by intravenous methadone.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. K. Adams ◽  
M. Machnicz ◽  
D. M. Sobieraj

Abstract Background Opioid withdrawal symptoms prior to buprenorphine initiation may be intolerable and as a result, alternative strategies have emerged. We aim to systematically review the efficacy and safety of buprenorphine initiation that aims to omit prerequisite withdrawal. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search of MEDLINE and CENTRAL from 1996 through April 10, 2020, augmented with searches in Google Scholar and www.clinicaltrials.gov. A study was included if it was in patients with substance use disorder or chronic pain that were taking a full mu opioid agonist and transitioning to buprenorphine without preceding withdrawal, and reported withdrawal during initiation as an outcome. Two investigators independently screened citations and articles for inclusion, collected data using a standardized data collection tool, and assessed study risk of bias. Results We included 15 case reports/series, reporting 24 unique cases, in our qualitative synthesis. No controlled studies were identified. Microdosing and bridging with a buprenorphine patch were the most common strategies reported. Transition to buprenorphine with complete cessation of opioid agonists was achieved in 87.5% (n = 21) of cases. Withdrawal during initiation occurred in 58.3% (n = 14) of cases, two of which were at least moderate in severity. Conclusion Buprenorphine initiation strategies that omit prerequisite withdrawal have emerged. Low quality evidence from case reports suggests withdrawal during initiation is common but most often mild in severity. There is an unmet need for controlled studies to inform their efficacy and safety compared with traditional strategies, including outcomes during initiation and in the long-term.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 28-30
Author(s):  
Tanita Suttichaimongkol

Cholangiocarcinoma is a primary biliary tract tumor arising from the bile duct epithelium. Classically, these tumors have been categorized according to their anatomic location as intrahepatic and extrahepatic. Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is the most common type of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. It is the most difficult cancer to diagnose and therefore carries a poor prognosis with a 5-year survivalrate of less than 10%. Diagnostic imaging, coupled with a high degree of clinical suspicion, play a critical role in timely diagnosis, staging, and evaluation for surgical resectability. The most common imagingmodalities used for diagnosis and staging of hilar cholangiocarcinoma include ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRI/MRCP). This article showed a case presentation and reviewed the imaging appearance of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.   Figure 1  Greyscale sonography at the level of hepatic hilum revealed an ill-defined hilar mass (asterisk)resulting in upstream dilatation of right (arrow) and left (arrow head) main intrahepatic duct.  


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liming Wang ◽  
Yasumitsu Hirano ◽  
Toshimasa Ishii ◽  
Hiroka Kondo ◽  
Kiyoka Hara ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mature presacral (retrorectal) teratoma is very rare. We report a case in which a mature retrorectal teratoma in an adult was successfully treated with laparoscopic surgery. Case presentation A 44-year-old woman was diagnosed with a presacral tumor during a physical examination. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) revealed a multilocular cystic lesion; the lesion was on the left side of the posterior rectum and measured approximately 30 mm in diameter on both contrast-enhanced pelvic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The presumptive diagnosis was tailgut cyst. However, the histopathological diagnosis after laparoscopic resection was mature teratoma. It is still difficult to preoperatively diagnose mature retrorectal teratomas. Conclusions Laparoscopic resection of mature retrorectal teratomas is a feasible and promising method that is less invasive and can be adapted without extending the skin incision.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azhar Hussain ◽  
Amina Khalil ◽  
Priyanka Kolvekar ◽  
Prity Gupta ◽  
Shyamsunder Kolvekar

Abstract Background COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic of unprecedented proportions. Elective cardiac surgery has been universally postponed with only urgent and emergency cardiac operations being performed. The National Health Service in the United Kingdom introduced national measures to conserve intensive care beds and significantly limit elective activity shortly after lockdown. Case presentation We report two cases of early post-operative mortality secondary to COVID-19 infection immediately prior to the implementation of these widespread measures. Conclusion The role of cardiac surgery in the presence of COVID-19 is still very unpredictable and further studies on both short term and long term outcomes are warranted.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
Rudaina Banihani ◽  
Judy Seesahai ◽  
Elizabeth Asztalos ◽  
Paige Terrien Church

Advances in neuroimaging of the preterm infant have enhanced the ability to detect brain injury. This added information has been a blessing and a curse. Neuroimaging, particularly with magnetic resonance imaging, has provided greater insight into the patterns of injury and specific vulnerabilities. It has also provided a better understanding of the microscopic and functional impacts of subtle and significant injuries. While the ability to detect injury is important and irresistible, the evidence for how these injuries link to specific long-term outcomes is less clear. In addition, the impact on parents can be profound. This narrative summary will review the history and current state of brain imaging, focusing on magnetic resonance imaging in the preterm population and the current state of the evidence for how these patterns relate to long-term outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuntaro Oribe ◽  
Takafumi Toyohara ◽  
Eikan Mishima ◽  
Takehiro Suzuki ◽  
Koichi Kikuchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) often causes renal artery stenosis with renovascular hypertension. Recent clinical outcomes encourage percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) to treat FMD; however, the necessary follow-up period remains unclear. Moreover, previous studies have not revealed the difference in the period until recurrence between two major types of FMD—multifocal and focal. Case presentation We describe two patients with multifocal FMD who developed hypertension during their teenage years and had recurrence of FMD > 10 years after PTRA. We further examined the types of FMD and age of onset in 26 patients who underwent PTRA. The period until recurrence of multifocal FMD was longer than that of focal FMD. Moreover, patients with early-onset multifocal FMD are likely to have a delayed recurrence after PTRA compared to other types. Conclusions Our report suggests that patients with multifocal FMD, especially those with onset at an early age, may need long-term follow-up for at least ≥ 10 years.


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