Nicolau syndrome caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Systematic literature review

Nicolau Syndrome with Severe Facial Ischemic Necrosis after Endodontic Treatment: A Case Report

Nicolau syndrome (NS) is a rare complication resulting from intramuscular injections. It is characterized by severe pain at the injection site and the development of purplish discoloration. Only a limited number of case reports have been published documenting the adverse effects associated with the injection of calcium hydroxide (CH) beyond the apex during endodontic treatment. Here, we present the case of a 16-year-old female with NS after the injection of CH during the root canal treatment. The radiography examination revealed distal occlusion of the right maxillary and facial arteries. This caused a substantial area of skin necrosis to develop on the patient's face, resulting in permanent scarring. NS is associated with the displacement of CH beyond the apex. To minimize the risk of NS, dentists should exercise caution by avoiding forced injection of CH during treatment, particularly when the root canal is actively bleeding.

Nicolau syndrome following glatiramer acetate for multiple sclerosis: Case and review of reports

Nicolau syndrome is a rare, iatrogenic skin reaction after parental drug administration, characterized by severe pain at an injection site, followed by hemorrhage, ulceration, and often necrosis. We present a case of a patient on glatiramer acetate for many years (initially Copaxone then Glatopa) who developed Nicolau syndrome, the second reported case after generic glatiramer acetate. All reported cases of Nicolau syndrome after glatiramer acetate are reviewed. The case highlights the importance of prompt recognition of this skin reaction by neurologists and raises awareness of the risks of skin reactions even in low-risk injectable DMTs.

Hoigné's syndrome, an uncommon mimicker of anaphylaxis: Systematic literature review

The term Hoigné's syndrome denotes a mimicker of anaphylaxis, which occurs immediately after the parenteral administration of a drug and is likely caused by non-thrombotic pulmonary and systemic drug micro-embolization. It has so far been documented uniquely in case reports and small case series. Because this condition has never been systematically evaluated, we performed a structured literature review (pre-registered as CRD42023392962). The search was carried out in Excerpta Medica, National Library of Medicine, and Google Scholar. Cases with features consistent with anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema, asthma, syncope, anxiety, or panic attack triggered by needle phobia, and local anesthetic systemic toxicity were excluded. For the final analysis, we retained reports published between 1951 and 2021, which presented 247 patients with Hoigné's syndrome: 37 children and 211 adults with a male: female ratio of 2.1 : 1.0. The patients presented within 1 min after parenteral administration of a drug (intramuscular penicillin in 90 % of the cases) with chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fear of death, psychomotor agitation, and auditory or visual hallucinations and impairment. Recovery occurred within 30 min. The diagnosis of Hoigné's syndrome was also established in five patients 66-91 years of age with pre-existing cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases, who suddenly died after the administration of penicillin despite not exhibiting the aforementioned symptoms. It was therefore speculated that pulmonary drug micro-embolization induced a lethal cardiovascular compromise in these individuals. Histologic investigations supporting this hypothesis were performed in only one case. The diagnosis of Hoigné's pulmonary drug micro-embolization was established also in five patients with pre-existing cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases, who suddenly died after the administration of penicillin despite not exhibiting the afore mentioned symptoms. Histologic investigations supporting this hypothesis were performed in only one case. In conclusion, Hoigné's syndrome is an uncommon non-immune-mediated reaction. This report seeks to promote broader awareness and knowledge regarding this alarming mimicker of anaphylaxis. Diagnosis relies solely on clinical evaluation.

Thermal imaging of local skin temperature as part of quality and safety assessment of injectable drugs

Injection of high-quality drugs can occasionally cause unexpected and unexplained local complications. As the current standard for drug quality control does not include an assessment of the local irritation effects of drugs, this effect may cause postinjection complications. Simultaneously, local irritation effects of the drugs can be assessed based on local tissue inflammation. The dynamics of local temperature can assess inflammation. Infrared monitoring of local skin temperature dynamics at subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous injection sites of drugs under experimental and clinical conditions can improve their quality and safety. Therefore, there is a need to include dynamic thermography in the standard of biological evaluation of the quality and safety of drugs in the dosage form "solution for injections." This eliminates the local irritation and necrotizing activity of drugs and minimizes the development of local pain syndrome, aseptic inflammation, necrosis, and abscess.

Bizarre Cutaneous Ulcers due to Self-Administered Intravenous Dexketoprofen Trometamol

Systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use may result in various cutaneous complications including maculopapular rash, fixed drug eruption, urticaria, and angioedema most frequently. However extensive cutaneous ulcers in relation to intravenous dexketoprofen trometamol use has not been identified before although cutaneous ulcers have been described in association with several opioids. Herein, we would like to present a 27-year-old male with a 1-year history of progressive deep cutaneous ulcers due to long term abusive intravenous use of dexketoprofen trometamol.

Nicolau syndrome after intramuscular injection of methocarbamol: A rare case report

Background

Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant medication that is commonly used to treat muscle spasms and musculoskeletal pain. Methocarbamol intramuscular injection can cause necrosis of the soft tissue. This rare condition can create severe adverse event with permanent disability.

Case presentation

A 32-year-old woman with no significant past medical history presented to the emergency department with severe pain, redness, and swelling involving her left buttock and the surrounding back area.

Clinical discussion

The necrotic changes due to methocarbamol intramuscular injection can progress rapidly, leading to the formation of deep ulcers, cellulitis, and even abscesses. Prompt recognition and intervention are crucial to prevent further tissue damage and complications.

Conclusion

Comprehending the fundamental mechanisms and identifying risk factors related to this complication is imperative in enabling healthcare professionals to proficiently manage and avert its manifestation.

Embolia cutis Medicamentosa (Nicolau syndrome): case series

Introduction

Embolia cutis medicamentosa or Nicolau syndrome is a rare drug reaction associated with the administration of various injectable medications. The pathogenesis of the disease is unknown, though intra and periarterial injection of the drug is a possible cause. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the clinical characteristics of Nicolau syndrome in patients examined in daily dermatological practice.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review, between January 2011 and December 2020, in patients diagnosed with Nicolau syndrome, from the cases of a private dermatology medical office in Târgu Mureș, Romania.

Results

During the 10-year period, 7 patients were diagnosed with Nicolau syndrome. Of these, 4 (57%) patients were males and 3 (43%) were females, The male to female ratio was 1.33. The median age was 64 (interquartile range, IQR, 62-71), with the youngest patient being diagnosed at age 61 and the oldest at age 74. Regarding the drugs classes that caused Nicolau syndrome, these were intravenous antibiotics in 57%, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 43% of cases.

Conclusion

All patients healed in a period of 6 to 8 weeks. No complications occurred. In conclusion, Nicolau syndrome is a rare side effect of injectable drug administration.

Hypertonic Activity of Injection Solutions Can Cause Post-injection Complications (Review)

Introduction. A review of the scientific literature showed that the current standards for assessing the quality of drugs does not include an assessment of the osmotic activity of drug solutions and their local irritant effect on tissues at the sites of subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous injections. Therefore, currently injectable solutions considered to be of high quality may not have isotonic activity and high postinjection safety.

Text. A study of the concentration range of quality drug solutions ready for injection showed that the acceptable concentration value of the main ingredients is in the range of 0.01 to 76 %. Direct measurement with an osmometer of the osmotic activity of injection solutions, considered qualitative today, has shown that injection solutions can have hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic activity and their osmotic activity can be in the range of 0 – 3900 mosmol/l water. Study of acidic activity of drug solutions showed that in accordance with pharmacopoeial requirements of drug quality modern quality drug solutions ready for injection can have acidic, neutral or alkaline activity. Solutions with hypertonic activity have been found to have a local irritant effect. Moreover, an increase in hypertonic activity of drug solutions increases their local irritant effect. It has been found that excessively high hypertonic activity of drug solutions may be the cause of the development of a local postinjection complication known as "Nicolaou syndrome", the cause of which has remained unknown for a long time. Nicolaou syndrome includes local pain syndrome, aseptic inflammation, necrosis, and abscess.

Conclusion. The authors conducted a literature review, the results of which led to conclusions and assumptions. Solutions containing drugs in concentrations greater than 10 % may have the highest hypertonic activity, which can cause excessive dehydrating, local irritating and cauterizing effects. Therefore, injections of such drugs are most dangerous with the development of post-injection necroses and abscesses. That is why timely dilution of concentrated drug solutions with water by 2–10 times increases injection safety. It is proposed to include the assessment of osmotic activity and local irritant effect of drug solutions in the standard of drug quality control.

Efficacy and Safety of NSAIDs in Infants: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature of the Past 20 Years

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in infants, children, and adolescents worldwide; however, despite sufficient evidence of the beneficial effects of NSAIDs in children and adolescents, there is a lack of comprehensive data in infants. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on the safety and efficacy of various NSAIDs used in infants for which data are available, and includes ibuprofen, dexibuprofen, ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, ketorolac, indomethacin, niflumic acid, meloxicam, celecoxib, parecoxib, rofecoxib, acetylsalicylic acid, and nimesulide. The efficacy of NSAIDs has been documented for a variety of conditions, such as fever and pain. NSAIDs are also the main pillars of anti-inflammatory treatment, such as in pediatric inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Limited data are available on the safety of most NSAIDs in infants. Adverse drug reactions may be renal, gastrointestinal, hematological, or immunologic. Since NSAIDs are among the most frequently used drugs in the pediatric population, safety and efficacy studies can be performed as part of normal clinical routine, even in young infants. Available data sources, such as (electronic) medical records, should be used for safety and efficacy analyses. On a larger scale, existing data sources, e.g. adverse drug reaction programs/networks, spontaneous national reporting systems, and electronic medical records should be assessed with child-specific methods in order to detect safety signals pertinent to certain pediatric age groups or disease entities. To improve the safety of NSAIDs in infants, treatment needs to be initiated with the lowest age-appropriate or weight-based dose. Duration of treatment and amount of drug used should be regularly evaluated and maximum dose limits and other recommendations by the manufacturer or expert committees should be followed. Treatment for non-chronic conditions such as fever and acute (postoperative) pain should be kept as short as possible. Patients with chronic conditions should be regularly monitored for possible adverse effects of NSAIDs.

Nicolau syndrome caused by Glatiramer

Injection-site reactions to glatiramer are common and include erythema, pruritus, pain, or induration. Additionally, the present systematic review of the literature documents 20 cases of Nicolau syndrome following glatiramer, a rare but potentially severe skin reaction. Abdomen and thighs are the most frequently affected areas (80% of reported cases), and permanent skin damage has been observed in 30% of cases. Recurrences are rare (<10%).