scholarly journals Fentanyl Abuse: A Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  

Background and Objectives: Fentanyl is an opioid agonist with abuse potential. The overdose can begin suddenly, progress to death rapidly, and may have an atypical presentation with body and chest wall rigidity. This article aims to review the consequences of fentanyl abuse alone or in combination with other substances along with available treatment modalities. Methods: A literature search using the keywords “opioid addiction” or “fentanyl abuse” and “fentanyl overdose” and “fentanyl treatment” was conducted on PubMed. Additional data was gathered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other websites. Finally, 32 out of 310 articles were selected for the review. Our case report highlights the consequences of fentanyl abuse in combination with other substances. Case report: A 32 years old Caucasian female with a history of polysubstance use was admitted for community-acquired pneumonia after overdosing with fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Results: Fentanyl is often mixed with other substances and sold as heroin to unsuspecting users. Its abuse may cause life-threatening respiratory failure from an overdose. Discussion and Conclusions: In 2016, approximately 50% who died from an opioid overdose in the US were taking fentanyl, and 57% of those who tested positive for fentanyl or its analogs were positive for other drugs such as heroin. Naloxone kits distribution has reported significant overdose reversals. Scientific Significance: Opioid crisis, declared as an emergency by the federal government, is affecting public health. Prescribers have a major role in reducing overdose deaths by prescribing the lowest, effective dose with the shortest treatment duration.

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 564-567
Author(s):  
Qiancheng Xu ◽  
Yingya Cao ◽  
Hongzhen Yin ◽  
Rongrong Wu ◽  
Tao Yu ◽  
...  

AbstractA 23-year-old female patient was referred for treatment of a posterior mediastinal tumour. There was no history of hypertension or headache and no other complaints. The patient’s blood pressure increased to 210/125 mmHg after surgically manipulating the tumour, subsequently reversing to severe hypotension (25/15 mmHg) immediately after the tumour was removed. The life-threatening and irreversible blood pressure drop was difficult to treat with fluid and vasopressors, and the patient ultimately died of cardio-respiratory failure. Asymptomatic paraganglioma can be non-functional but can also be fatal. For any lump in the thoracic cavity, paraganglioma should be ruled out.


Vascular ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-242
Author(s):  
Jan M. Eckermann ◽  
Theodore H. Teruya ◽  
Christian Bianchi ◽  
Ahmed M. Abou-Zamzam

Spider bites can cause local tissue damage as well as life-threatening complications. This is a case report of a female with no history of lower extremity vascular disease who presented with a spider bite on the dorsum of her foot. She developed progressive necrosis and eventually suffered limb loss despite attempts at revascularization.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1219
Author(s):  
Prashant Pant ◽  
Oshan Shrestha ◽  
Pawan Budhathoki ◽  
Nebula Devkota ◽  
Prabin Kumar Giri ◽  
...  

Ludwig’s angina (LA) is a rapidly spreading and potentially life-threatening infection having an odontogenic infection as the most common source. It involves the floor of the mouth and neck. Modernization in medical care has made this entity rare and of low mortality at the present but it is still feared as a lethal entity due to rapidly progressive airway obstruction that follows. Here we report a case of a 15-year-old male who suffered from LA. Presenting symptoms and findings of the examination helped in the clinical diagnosis. Immediate intubation, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and treatment of complications aided the patient’s recovery. LA should be considered for differential diagnosis in the case of neck swelling especially in those having a history of poor oral hygiene and recent dental procedures. Management of LA and its complications should always involve doctors from multiple disciplines.


1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Hughes Morscher

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a cardiac conduction disorder that presents with potentially life-threatening consequences. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome-induced dysrhythmias account for 20% of all supraventricular tachycardias that occur in the general population. Clinical presentations range from no symptoms to a sudden cardiac arrest. The risk of sudden death is always present with WPW syndrome, and it is the motivating force in the evaluation and treatment of this syndrome. Current diagnostic modalities are accurate in identifying patients with WPW syndrome, but lack the sensitivity to predict sudden cardiac death. This article reviews the history of WPW syndrome, as well as its general characteristics, diagnostic criteria, treatment modalities, and nursing implications


BMC Surgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Zhao ◽  
Zhichao Lai ◽  
Xiaojun Song ◽  
Rong Zeng ◽  
Changwei Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Neck hematoma is a complication of carotid endarterectomy, usually occurring in the comparatively early stage postoperatively. Case presentation We described a patient developing life-threatening hemorrhage and non-clotting hematoma at a comparatively later stage after CEA. DIC was diagnosed according to the lab results, and the patient underwent re-operation and was supported with blood products until the coagulopathy was corrected. The patient had a history of prostatic hyperplasia and experienced malaise during the hospitalization. Prostate cancer with bone metastases was diagnosed. Conclusions This case report describes a rare underlying cause of hematoma after CEA, which reminds us to pay attention to prostate symptoms or related medical history, especially malignancy, in surgical patients, which may result in severe complications.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-38
Author(s):  
Phyllis Annesley ◽  
Adedayo Alabi ◽  
Laura Longdon

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment of an adult female patient detained within a high secure hospital with complex mental health difficulties, including complex trauma, factitious disorder, self-injury and a history of offending. The EMDR treatment addressed the patient’s urges to engage in severe and sometimes life-threatening self-injury, a primary motive of which was to access physical healthcare interventions within a general hospital. The paper describes the wide-ranging benefits of the treatment and incorporates feedback from the patient and clinicians within her multi-disciplinary team (MDT). Design/methodology/approach Four triggers for self-injury were processed during the therapy using the DeTUR Protocol (Popky, 2005, 2009) and the Constant Installation of Present Orientation and Safety (CIPOS, Knipe, 2009a) method. In total, 18 one hour therapy sessions were delivered plus three follow-up sessions to continue to offer support and complete the post-treatment evaluation. Findings The level of urge for each trigger was reduced to 0 which the patient defined as “no urge to self-injure”. Benefits went well beyond self-injury with reported positive impacts on mood, thinking, sleep, concentration, memory and experience of flashbacks. Practical implications This case report demonstrates that the EMDR DeTUR Protocol together with the CIPOS method can be extremely valuable in the treatment of patients who self-injure. Originality/value The case report offers an important contribution to an area that requires much further research.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-42
Author(s):  
F Alam ◽  
RG Goel

Hydatid cyst is a zoonotic disease which occurs due to infectivity with larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. The disease is chronic and cysts can be lodged in different organs. It has cosmopolitan distribution and impact health and economical challenges for many countries throughout the world. The location of the disease is mostly in the liver and lungs. Hydatid disease of breast is extremely rare. A case report of 24 year female with the diagnosis of the hydatid breast is described in detail. The patient presented with painless lump in the upper inner quadrant of right breast of two months duration. History of trauma, pus discharge, itching, weight loss, fever or hormonal therapy were absent. The patient was diagnosed preoperatively as cysticercosis right breast by fine needle aspiration cytology based on the laboratory results conducted outside the hospital. However, histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of hydatid breast. It is the second diagnosed case in Nepal. Therefore, accurate information on the distribution of the disease is first step for the control and prevention. Only few reports are published in the literature about breast hydatid cyst.Thus, we want to emphasize the importance of keeping hydatid disease in differential diagnosis of cystic breast lesions, particularly in endemic region, where the disease could mimic fibroadenoma, phyllodes tumors, chronic abscesses.Journal of Nepalgunj Medical College Vol.12(1) 2014: 41-42


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-153
Author(s):  
Richard A. Meena ◽  
Melissa N. Warren ◽  
Thomas E. Reeve ◽  
Olamide Alabi

Aortocaval fistula (ACF) is a rare and life-threatening complication associated with rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA). Early detection and management of ACF’s during surgical repair of rAAAs is recommended to reduce the risk of future aneurysm-related complications, including mortality. There is a paucity of current literature on the natural history of ACFs postendovascular exclusion. We present a case study describing the detection of a persistent ACF by duplex ultrasonography (DU) postendovascular aortic repair (EVAR).


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 408-410
Author(s):  
Tomas Chalela ◽  
Viktor Hraska

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an uncommon condition among patients with congenital heart disease, however it can be life threatening. The usual management includes replacement of the affected valve, especially in patients with aortic valve compromise, and is even more common in previously repaired valves. In this case report, we describe the successful reconstruction of an aortic root destroyed by IE, in a patient with history of ballooning of a congenital aortic stenosis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron J. Roberto ◽  
Subhash Pinnaka ◽  
Abhishek Mohan ◽  
Hiejin Yoon ◽  
Kyle A. B. Lapidus

Catatonia is especially concerning in children and adolescents. It leads to significant impairment, including emotional distress, difficulty communicating, and other debilitating symptoms. In this case report, we discuss a patient with no previous history of neuroleptic medication or psychotic symptoms, presenting with first-episode catatonia in the presence of disorganized, psychotic thoughts. We then review the catatonia syndrome, citing examples in the literature supporting its underdiagnosis in children and adolescents, and discuss successful treatment modalities. It is important to diagnose and treat catatonia as efficiently as possible, to limit functional and emotional distress to the patient.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document