[Confusion, loss of consciousness and unspecific visual hallucinations may be symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies]

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common type of dementia. The core clinical symptoms are visual hallucinations, fluctuating cognition with pronounced variations in attention, REM sleep behaviour disorder and parkinsonism. Early diagnosis and differentiation from Alzheimer's disease can be challenging, especially when the core clinical symptoms are modest or only partly present. In this case report, we describe two patients, who had unexplained loss of consciousness and visual hallucinations, which were the early signs of DLB in absence of parkinsonism.

Influenza B-related meningoencephalitis in adults

We present a case involving an 85-year-old man with acute confusion and new onset seizure following a 1-week history of respiratory prodrome. This case report describes a case of influenza B-related meningoencephalitis supported by evidence of an influenza B infection and temporal relation of the neurological event and respiratory illness in the absence of other identifiable cause. Diagnosis is guided by cerebrospinal fluid profile and nasopharyngeal PCR. Treatment is largely supportive and the effect of vaccination on prevention of this neurological complication remains unclear.

The experience of living with patellofemoral pain-loss, confusion and fear-avoidance: a UK qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the experience of living with patellofemoral pain (PFP).

DESIGN

Qualitative study design using semistructured interviews and analysed thematically using the guidelines set out by Braun and Clarke.

SETTING

A National Health Service physiotherapy clinic within a large UK teaching hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of 10 participants, aged between 18 and 40 years, with a diagnosis of PFP and on a physiotherapy waiting list, prior to starting physiotherapy.

RESULTS

Participants offered rich and detailed accounts of the impact and lived experience of PFP, including loss of physical and functional ability; loss of self-identity; pain-related confusion and difficulty making sense of their pain; pain-related fear, including fear-avoidance and 'damage' beliefs; inappropriate coping strategies and fear of the future. The five major themes that emerged from the data were: (1) impact on self; (2) uncertainty, confusion and sense making; (3) exercise and activity beliefs; (4) behavioural coping strategies and (5) expectations of the future.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings offer an insight into the lived experience of individuals with PFP. Previous literature has focused on pain and biomechanics, rather than the individual experience, attached meanings and any wider context within a sociocultural perspective. Our findings suggest that future research is warranted into biopsychosocial targeted interventions aimed at the beliefs and pain-related fear for people with PFP. The current consensus that best-evidence treatments consisting of hip and knee strengthening may not be adequate to address the fears and beliefs identified in the current study. Further qualitative research may be warranted on the impact and interpretation of medical terminology commonly used with this patient group, for example, 'weakness' and 'patellar mal-tracking' and its impact and interpretation by patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN35272486; Pre-results.

Acute Anticholinergic Syndrome from Atropa Belladonna Mistaken for Blueberries

Purpose

To report the first case in the ophthalmic literature of acute anticholinergic syndrome after ingestion of Atropa belladonna mistaken for blueberries.

Methods

A 36-year-old woman presented to our ophthalmic emergency department with complaints of blurry vision, lightning flashes, disorientation, loss of balance, agitation, and anxiety for 24 hours. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral pupillary dilatation and paresis of accommodation. Additional symptoms of the anticholinergic syndrome were elicited on further questioning.

Results

Anticholinergic intoxication was suspected and the patient admitted to have eaten six “blueberries” found in the forest the previous day. The patient identified Atropa belladonna as the source of the berries she had eaten when shown photographs of the plant and its fruit. The recommendations of the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre were followed and physostigmine, the antidote for severe poisoning when 10 or more berries are ingested, was not administered.

Conclusions

Accidental ingestion of Atropa belladonna berries may cause patients to first consult an ophthalmologist. It is important to recognize the anticholinergic syndrome caused by such intoxication in order to make a proper diagnosis, avoid unnecessary testing, and provide expedient appropriate treatment when required.

Exercise-Associated Hyponatraemia after a Marathon: Case Series

OBJECTIVES

To review the presentation, treatment and response of those runners from the London Marathon who presented to St Thomas' Hospital with exercise induced hyponatraemia.

DESIGN

Observational case series.

SETTING

St Thomas' Hospital, a tertiary hospital situated near the finish line of the 2003 London Marathon.

PARTICIPANTS

All runners who presented to St Thomas' Hospital on the day of the 2003 London Marathon with altered mental state whose serum sodium concentration was less than 135 mmol/L.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Presenting symptoms, volume and type of fluids administered and response to treatment (biochemical and clinical).

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were diagnosed with exercise associated hyponatraemia with serum sodium concentrations ranging from 116 to 133 mmol/L. Eleven presented with confusion. There were long delays between the finish time and presentation time for some runners. Anecdotal descriptions suggested some runners finished the race with normal mental state then became confused. There was no correlation between running time and serum sodium level. All patients received 0.9% saline and six received 1.8% saline. Despite this, some patients demonstrated falls in serum sodium concentrations. Thirteen to fourteen patients were symptomatically well the following morning, with the remaining patient significantly improved.

CONCLUSION

Presentation of exercise associated hyponatraemia may be delayed. Optimal treatment is controversial, but the use of isotonic saline may not result in rises of serum sodium and we would suggest the early use of hypertonic fluids in symptomatic patients.

Nerve blocks or no nerve blocks for pain control after elective hip replacement (arthroplasty) surgery in adults

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that over 300,000 total hip replacements are performed each year in the USA. For European countries, the number of hip replacement procedures per 100,000 people performed in 2007 varied from less than 50 to over 250. To facilitate postoperative rehabilitation, pain must be adequately treated. Peripheral nerve blocks and neuraxial blocks have been proposed to replace or supplement systemic analgesia.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to compare the relative effects (benefits and harms) of the different nerve blocks that may be used to relieve pain after elective hip replacement in adults.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 12, 2016), MEDLINE (Ovid SP) (1946 to December Week 49, 2016), Embase (Ovid SP) (1980 to December week 49, 2016), CINAHL (EBSCO host) (1982 to 6 December 2016), ISI Web of Science (1973 to 6 December 2016), Scopus (from inception to December 2016), trials registers, and relevant web sites.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed in adults undergoing elective primary hip replacement and comparing peripheral nerve blocks to any other pain treatment modality. We applied no language or publication status restrictions.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were extracted independently by two review authors. We contacted study authors.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 51 RCTs with 2793 participants; of these 45 RCTs (2491 participants: peripheral nerve block = 1288; comparators = 1203) were included in meta-analyses. There are 11 ongoing studies and three awaiting classification.Compared to systemic analgesia alone, peripheral nerve blocks reduced: pain at rest on arrival in the postoperative care unit (SMD -1.12, 95% CI -1.67 to -0.56; 9 trials, 429 participants; equivalent to 3.2 on 0 to 10 scale; moderate-quality evidence); risk of acute confusional status: risk ratio (RR) 0.10 95% CI 0.02 to 0.54; 1 trial, 225 participants; number needed to treat for additional benefit (NNTB) 12, 95% CI 11 to 22; very low-quality evidence); pruritus (RR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.70; 2 trials, 259 participants for continuous peripheral nerve blocks; NNTB 4 (95% CI 4 to 8); very low-quality evidence); hospital length of stay (SMD -0.75, 95% CI -1.02 to -0.48; very low-quality evidence; 2 trials, 249 participants; equivalent to 0.75 day). Participant satisfaction increased (SMD 0.67, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.89; low-quality evidence; 5 trials, 363 participants; equivalent to 2.4 on 0 to 10 scale). We did not find a difference for the number of participants walking on postoperative day one (very low-quality evidence). Two nerve block-related complications were reported: one local haematoma and one delayed persistent paresis.Compared to neuraxial blocks, peripheral nerve blocks reduced the risk of pruritus (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.58; 6 trials, 299 participants; moderate-quality evidence; NNTB 6 (95% CI 5 to 9). We did not find a difference for pain at rest on arrival in the postoperative care unit (moderate-quality evidence); number of nerve block-related complications (low-quality evidence); acute confusional status (very low-quality evidence); hospital length of stay (low quality-evidence); time to first walk (low-quality evidence); or participant satisfaction (high-quality evidence).We found that peripheral nerve blocks provide better pain control compared to systemic analgesia with no major differences between peripheral nerve blocks and neuraxial blocks. We also found that peripheral nerve blocks may be associated with reduced risk of postoperative acute confusional state and a modest reduction in hospital length of stay that could be meaningful in terms of cost reduction considering the increasing numbers of procedures performed annually.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Compared to systemic analgesia alone, there is moderate-quality evidence that peripheral nerve blocks reduce postoperative pain, low-quality evidence that patient satisfaction is increased and very low-quality evidence for reductions in acute confusional status, pruritus and hospital length of stay .We found moderate-quality evidence that peripheral nerve blocks reduce pruritus compared with neuraxial blocks.The 11 ongoing studies, once completed, and the three studies awaiting classification may alter the conclusions of the review once assessed.

Confusion recurs 2 weeks after fall

A 77-year-old woman presented to the emergency department complaining of a headache following a syncopal episode (while standing) earlier that day. She said that she'd lost consciousness for several minutes, and then experienced several minutes of mild confusion that resolved spontaneously. On physical exam, she was oriented to person and place, but not time. She had a contusion in her left occipitoparietal region without extensive bruising or deformity. The patient had normal cardiopulmonary, abdominal, and neurologic exams. Her past medical history included hypertension and normal pressure hydrocephalus, and her vital signs were within normal limits. She was taking aspirin once daily. The patient's initial head and neck computerized tomography (CT) scans were normal, but she was hospitalized because of her confusion. During her hospitalization, the patient had mild episodic headaches that resolved with acetaminophen. The next day, her confusion resolved, and repeat CT scans were unchanged. She was discharged within 24 hours. Two weeks later, the patient returned to the hospital after her daughter found her on the toilet, unable to stand up from the sitting position. She was confused and experienced a worsening of headache during transport to the hospital. No recurrent falls or additional episodes of trauma were reported. A CT scan was performed. WHAT IS YOUR DIAGNOSIS? HOW WOULD YOU TREAT THIS PATIENT?

Rethinking Psychosis in Dementia: An Analysis of Antecedents and Explanations

An in-depth analysis of qualitative data regarding antecedents, consequences, and descriptions of delusions of persons with dementia (PwD) provided by family caregivers is presented. Three broad classifications of reasons given behind types of delusions are included, namely environmental factors, personal factors, and dementia, with dementia being the most prominent factor. We observed an overlap between known cognitive symptoms of dementia and the characteristics of the reported "delusions" in dementia. It therefore appears that what is often classified as a delusion of a seemingly psychotic nature is in fact the PwD's disorientation combined with an attempt to fill in gaps caused by cognitive deficiencies.

A case of acute confusion: Cushing's syndrome presenting with primary hyperparathyroidism

Cushing's syndrome is a rare disease. Cushing's syndrome presenting as acute psychosis is an exceptional occurrence. We present the case of a 37-year-old woman who was admitted with acute confusion associated with mild hypercalcaemia and was subsequently diagnosed with parathyroid and adrenal adenomas. Our hospital sees approximately 6000 endocrine patients per year, with an incidence of around four Cushing's cases annually. This is the first such case to occur in our hospital and one of few described in the literature.

Increasing incidence of chronic subdural haematoma in the elderly

BACKGROUND

Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is a condition predominantly affecting the elderly. We reported an incidence of 8.2 per 100 000 per year in people above the age of 65 in 2002.

AIM

Since recent studies have demonstrated a higher incidence, we repeated our study to estimate the current incidence of CSDH amongst people above the age of 65 in North Wales.

DESIGN

We used radiological reports to identify patients with CSDH over a 1-year period.

METHODS

We collected data on demographics, clinical presentations, indications for brain imaging, drug history and 30-day outcome from the case notes and electronic records.

RESULTS

The population of North Wales was 687 937 of which 138 325 (20%) were above 65. There were 66 cases of CSDH giving an incidence of 48 per 100 000 per year. Mean age was 81 and there were 32 males and 34 females. Falls and confusion were the commonest indications to request a CT scan (90%). Other indications were drowsiness (9%) and focal neurological deficit (4%). 17 were on antiplatelets and 20 were on warfarin. Ten underwent surgical intervention. At 30 days 28 were discharged, 22 were still in hospital and 16 died.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of CSDH is much higher than previously reported. Reasons include a low threshold for imaging patients with recurrent falls and confusion, increasing use of anti-thrombotics and ageing population. In many older patients CSDH is a marker of underlying co-morbidities rather than a primary event.

Mitral valve vegetation diagnosed with oesophageal ultrasound with bronchoscope (EUS-B)

Oesophageal ultrasound with bronchoscope (EUS-B) is designed to evaluate mediastinal structures. We describe a case of a 78-year-old woman who presented with altered mental status for 2 weeks. CT head revealed a subacute infarct in the right middle cerebral artery distribution. She was also found to have a lung mass on chest imaging. EUS-B-guided fine needle aspiration demonstrated the presence of adenocarcinoma in station 7 lymph node and in the mass. Immunohistochemistry confirmed it to be a lung primary as the Thyroid Transcription Factor-1 (TTF-1) was strongly positive. During the procedure, the cardiac valves were evaluated, and a mitral valve vegetation was noted. Formal echocardiography confirmed the presence of the vegetation. During hospital stay, the patient developed fever. Her blood cultures grew oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. She was subsequently treated for infective endocarditis. We suggest that the use of EUS-B to routinely scan adjacent structures during a procedure may help obtain additional clinical information that may be critical to patient management.