Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0023380 (lethargy)
 5,697 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A case, a 18-year-old male, of an endodermal sinus tumor (yolk sac tumor) in the fourth ventricle, was reported. The patient had a month history of headache, vomiting and gait disturbance prior to the hospitalization, when he admitted to our service he was in lethargic condition with left cerebellar ataxia and horizontal nystagmus. Lumbar tap revealed clear CSF under normal pressure of 110 mm H2O with the CSF protein of 432.5 mg/dl and cell count of 147/3. The vertebral angiography demonstrated space occupying lesion in the posterior fossa. Plain CT demonstrated only disappearance of the fourth ventricle and slightly dilated bilateral ventricles and third ventricle. However diffuse high density area around the fourth ventricle was demonstrated and the wall of bilateral anterior horn was slightly enhanced, after injection of contrast media. There was no other abnormal findings around the pineal region. Suboccipital craniectomy was performed and the tumor was totally removed macroscopically. The tumor was situated in th floor of the fourth ventricle and infiltrated into the fourth ventricular wall and th adjacent cerebellar tissue. The tumor was with soft, greyish color and extremely vascular. Histologically the tumor was diagnosed as endodermal sinus tumor according to Teilum's classification. There were stellate cells arranged in a loose with vacuolated network which formed cystic cavities and a complicated network of honeycomb appearance with a system of communicating cavities and channels. Various size of intra- and extracellular PAS-positive hyaline globules were also seen. Glomerular-like structure (Schiller-Duval body) was not observed. Immunoperoxidase study clearly demonstrated the presence of intra- and extracytoplasmic alpha-fetoprotein granules in the tumor tissue. The amount of the serum alpha-fetoprotein, measured by radioimmunoassay, showed 400 ng/ml. After irradiation in the posterior fossa (5000 rad) the patient was discharged. Three months later, follow up CT demonstrated small high density area in the anterior horn of the left lateral ventricle, so he was rehospitalised. Irradiation in the whole brain was again administered. The tumor was very radiosensitive. CT, after 800 rad, demonstrated complete disappearance of the tumor. After irradiation totally (3000 rad), he discharged with left cerebellar ataxia.
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PMID:[Primary endodermal sinus tumor of the fourth ventricle (author's transl)]. 616 17

A 46-year-old extremely obese black woman presented with headaches, blurred vision, and visual obscurations. Her exam was notable for bilateral severe papilledema, retinal hemorrhages, and lethargy. Her CAT scan was normal, and a spinal tap revealed a very high opening pressure. Although this patient's presentation mimicked pseudotumor cerebri, the lethargy and retinal hemorrhages were atypical. Her hospital evaluation was notable for elevation of the serum bicarbonate level, and she was subsequently found to have hypoxia and hypercapnia on a blood gas. The patient was diagnosed as Pickwickian syndrome, with obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment of the pulmonary problem resulted in dramatic improvement in her eye findings and her lethargy, and optic nerve sheath fenestration was not necessary.
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PMID:Disk edema in an overweight woman. 854 13

Ethyl methacrylate (ethyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate, EMA) has been implicated in the development of neurologic impairment following occupational exposure. The potential of EMA to produce neurotoxicity was investigated in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats in two experiments. In the first experiment, animals were administered 100, 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg by daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections for 60 d. Control rats received daily i.p. injections of 1 ml saline/kg. Clinical observations, spontaneous motor activity, and performance in the Morris water maze were assessed. Alterations in clinical parameters in the higher dose groups included lethargy, impaired breathing, decreased weight gain, and increased mortality. Alterations in motor activity were observed at 100 mg/kg, a dose that did not cause alterations in clinical parameters, body weight gain, or mortality. There was also a dose-dependent impairment in performance in the Morris water maze. In the second experiment, animals were administered EMA in drinking water at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, or 0.5% for 60 d. Control rats were administered tap water. Animals were perfused at the termination of exposure and samples of brain, spinal cord, and sciatic nerve were prepared for histological examination. Spongiform alterations were observed in fiber tracts of the forebrain, brainstem, and spinal cord. Clusters of axonal swellings were scattered throughout the dorsal, ventral, and lateral columns of the spinal cord, and typically involved internodal segments of two or three neighboring axons. Shrunken axons with separated myelin lamellae and large axons with thinner than normal myelin sheaths were apparent in the sciatic nerve. The patterns of alterations in the white matter of the spinal cord and the sciatic nerve are consistent with myelinopathy, but additional experiments are necessary to confirm whether oligodendroglia and Schwann cells are the primary sites of injury. In addition to the alterations associated with myelin, there was a decrease in the density of neurons in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. While the observed effects of EMA on the nervous system of rats are consistent with neurologic symptoms of workers exposed to EMA, additional experiments are necessary to determine if the level and route of exposures associated with occupational use produce these impairments in experimental animals.
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PMID:Neurotoxicity of ethyl methacrylate in rats. 1065 38

A review of U.S. poison center data for 2004 showed over 40,000 exposures to salicylate-containing products. A guideline that determines the conditions for emergency department referral and pre-hospital care could potentially optimize patient outcome, avoid unnecessary emergency department visits, reduce health care costs, and reduce life disruption for patients and caregivers. An evidence-based expert consensus process was used to create the guideline. Relevant articles were abstracted by a trained physician researcher. The first draft of the guideline was created by the lead author. The entire panel discussed and refined the guideline before distribution to secondary reviewers for comment. The panel then made changes based on the secondary review comments. The objective of this guideline is to assist poison center personnel in the appropriate out-of-hospital triage and initial out-of-hospital management of patients with a suspected exposure to salicylates by 1) describing the process by which a specialist in poison information should evaluate an exposure to salicylates, 2) identifying the key decision elements in managing cases of salicylate exposure, 3) providing clear and practical recommendations that reflect the current state of knowledge, and 4) identifying needs for research. This guideline is based on an assessment of current scientific and clinical information. The expert consensus panel recognizes that specific patient care decisions may be at variance with this guideline and are the prerogative of the patient and the health professionals providing care, considering all of the circumstances involved. This guideline does not substitute for clinical judgment. Recommendations are in chronological order of likely clinical use. The grade of recommendation is in parentheses: 1) Patients with stated or suspected self-harm or who are the victims of a potentially malicious administration of a salicylate, should be referred to an emergency department immediately. This referral should be guided by local poison center procedures. In general, this should occur regardless of the dose reported (Grade D). 2) The presence of typical symptoms of salicylate toxicity such as hematemesis, tachypnea, hyperpnea, dyspnea, tinnitus, deafness, lethargy, seizures, unexplained lethargy, or confusion warrants referral to an emergency department for evaluation (Grade C). 3) Patients who exhibit typical symptoms of salicylate toxicity or nonspecific symptoms such as unexplained lethargy, confusion, or dyspnea, which could indicate the development of chronic salicylate toxicity, should be referred to an emergency department (Grade C). 4) Patients without evidence of self-harm should have further evaluation, including determination of the dose, time of ingestion, presence of symptoms, history of other medical conditions, and the presence of co-ingestants. The acute ingestion of more than 150 mg/kg or 6.5 g of aspirin equivalent, whichever is less, warrants referral to an emergency department. Ingestion of greater than a lick or taste of oil of wintergreen (98% methyl salicylate) by children under 6 years of age and more than 4 mL of oil of wintergreen by patients 6 years of age and older could cause systemic salicylate toxicity and warrants referral to an emergency department (Grade C). 5) Do not induce emesis for ingestions of salicylates (Grade D). 6) Consider the out-of-hospital administration of activated charcoal for acute ingestions of a toxic dose if it is immediately available, no contraindications are present, the patient is not vomiting, and local guidelines for its out-of-hospital use are observed. However, do not delay transportation in order to administer activated charcoal (Grade D). 7) Women in the last trimester of pregnancy who ingest below the dose for emergency department referral and do not have other referral conditions should be directed to their primary care physician, obstetrician, or a non-emergent health care facility for evaluation of maternal and fetal risk. Routine referral to an emergency department for immediate care is not required (Grade C). 8) For asymptomatic patients with dermal exposures to methyl salicylate or salicylic acid, the skin should be thoroughly washed with soap and water and the patient can be observed at home for development of symptoms (Grade C). 9) For patients with an ocular exposure of methyl salicylate or salicylic acid, the eye(s) should be irrigated with room-temperature tap water for 15 minutes. If after irrigation the patient is having pain, decreased visual acuity, or persistent irritation, referral for an ophthalmological examination is indicated (Grade D). 10) Poison centers should monitor the onset of symptoms whenever possible by conducting follow-up calls at periodic intervals for approximately 12 hours after ingestion of non-enteric-coated salicylate products, and for approximately 24 hours after the ingestion of enteric-coated aspirin (Grade C).
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PMID:Salicylate poisoning: an evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management. 1736 28

Chryseobacterium (formerly Flavobacterium) indologenes, is a non-fermentative gram-negative bacillus which is widely found in the nature, primarily soil and water. Since it can survive in chlorine-treated municipal water supplies, and can colonize the sink basins and tap waters of the hospitals, this bacterium may be a potential infectious agent. Contamination of the medical devices containing water (respirators, intubation tubes, humidifiers, incubators for newborns, etc.) in hospital settings may lead to serious infections especially in patients with predisposing diseases, newborns and immunocompromized patients. In this report, a case of fatal C.indologenes septicemia developed in a newborn with hydrocephalus has been presented. A two-months old male infant was admitted to our hospital with the complaints of failure to suck and lethargy for five days and head enlargement. He was diagnosed as meningitis based on the clinical and laboratory findings of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (protein: 572 mg/dl, glucose 9.5 mg/dl, chlorine: 111 mg/dl, and presence of abundant polymorphonuclear leukocytes), and empirical antibiotic treatment (ampicillin/sulbactam and cefotaxime) had been started. Since the computerized tomography of the brain pointed out hydrocephalus, an external shunt was placed for CSF drainage on the second day of hospitalization. A total of five CSF and two blood cultures collected during the hospitalization period were inoculated into pediatric aerobic CSF and blood culture bottles (BacT/ALERT, BioMerieux, France) and incubated for 24-48 hours. The isolated bacteria from all of the cultures were identified as C.indologenes by conventional methods and BD Phoenix (Becton Dickinson, USA) system. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed with microdilution method according to CLSI guidelines. The isolate was found susceptible to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, while it was resistant to amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, piperacillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, aztreonam, meropenem, imipenem, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol. The treatment continued with ampicillin/sulbactam and levofloxacin without removing the shunt. However, C.indologenes growth persisted in CSF and blood cultures of the patient. The general condition of the patient deteriorated on the 65. day of the hospitalization and the patient was lost due to cardiopulmonary arrest. Case reports related to isolation of C.indologenes from blood cultures are present in the literature, however, isolation of C.indologenes from central nervous system was reported previously in a single case. In conclusion, C.indologenes should be considered as opportunistic infectious agents especially in the infectious diseases that develop in immunocompromised patients with underlying disease and with foreign device implementation.
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PMID:[Sepsis caused by Chryseobacterium indologenes in a patient with hydrocephalus]. 2209 Mar 5

The ventriculoperitoneal shunt is the mainstay of treatment for hydrocephalus. Despite its widespread use and safety record, it often malfunctions due to complications such as obstruction, breakage, migration and infection. This necessitates a systematic approach to diagnosing the etiology of shunt failure. Any evaluation should begin with an appraisal of the patient's symptoms. In acute malfunction, nausea, vomiting, irritability, seizures, headache, lethargy, coma and stupor are seen. In chronic malfunction, neuropsychological signs, feeding pattern changes, developmental delay, decline in school performance, headaches and increased head size are often seen. The next step in evaluation is a CT scan of the head to evaluate ventricular size. Prior imaging studies should be obtained for comparison; if the ventricles have enlarged over time, shunt malfunction is likely. If there is no such increase or dilation in the first place, other diagnoses are possible. However, "slit ventricle syndrome" should also be considered. When prior imaging is not available, pumping the reservoir, a radionuclide shuntogram, a shunt tap or even surgical exploration are options. The goals of this paper are to provide an algorithm for evaluating shunt malfunction and to illustrate the radiographic findings associated with shunt failure.
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PMID:Neuroimaging of ventriculoperitoneal shunt complications in children. 2274 19

A five day old full term born baby was admitted to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with seizures, opisthotonous posture and was icteric upto thigh. Baby had a three day history of poor feeding, lethargy and abnormal body movements. Mother was a 29 years old primigravida and had a normal vaginal delivery at home. Sepsis profile of the patient was requested, lumbar puncture and ventricular tap was performed. Patient was put on third generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and phenobarbitone. Culture and sensitivity report of blood, Cerebro spinal fluid and ventricular fluid showed Proteus mirabilis. Computerized Tomography scan showed a large parenchymal lesion in the right frontal lobe and diffuse ependymal enhancement along both the lateral ventricles suggestive of meningoventriculitis. We hereby present a fatal case of neonatal meningoventriculitis due to Proteus mirabilis.
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PMID:Neonatal meningoventriculitis due to proteus mirabilis - a case report. 2354 69

All manner of coughs, colds and sneezes are passed off as 'the 'flu' but anyone who has experienced the dreadful spirit-sapping incapacity of the true virus will know that those who proclaim to have it while remaining upright misunderstands its true nature. The aching limbs, the lethargy, the headaches - it's like being crushed by a barn door, while having a nose running like a tap and a cough to wake the dead. If you're young and fitish, you emerge from the experience a few days later weakened and washed out, but essentially alive. If you're an older person, however, or one whose immunity is already compromised, the consequences can be fatal. And the threat is particularly acute in epidemic years: 29,000 died from 'flu in 1989/90, although even in an 'average' year, 12,000 deaths are linked to 'flu activity.
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PMID:Fighting off 'flu. 2770 58

Background: While ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for treating hydrocephalus, complications following shunt placement are associated with a high mortality rate. Preoperative medical optimization and surgery are the primary means of correcting shunt migration. We present the case of an 11-week-old patient who underwent emergent surgical intervention for transrectal VPS migration and associated infection. Case Report: An 11-week-old female presented with VPS tubing protruding from her rectum. The patient had a history of grade III intraventricular hemorrhage complicated by hydrocephalus status post VPS placement at age 3 weeks. Shunt tap demonstrated gross infection, and she was started prophylactically on broad-spectrum antibiotics. She was taken emergently to the operating room (OR) for VPS externalization and exploratory minilaparotomy. VPS tubing was removed, and the patient was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit for postoperative management. Cultures confirmed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and the patient was treated according to infectious disease recommendations. On postoperative day (POD) 5, the patient had a full component VPS replacement. On POD 23, computed tomography scan of the head obtained for lethargy demonstrated a new midline shift, and she was returned to the OR for another VPS replacement. A small abscess was discovered and drained; postoperative cerebrospinal fluid laboratory values normalized after drainage. Once the infectious process cleared, the VPS was internalized on POD 33, and the patient was discharged home on POD 35. Conclusion: Few case reports detail the appropriate anesthetic considerations for cases of VPS migration. This report describes shunt migration pathophysiology and patient assessment with a focus on anesthetic preparation and management for this rare complication.
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PMID:Perioperative Management for Rectal Migration of a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt. 3261 85