A 43-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) for evaluation of acute respiratory arrest. Prior to arrival, the patient was at an outpatient surgical center being prepared for a right shoulder arthroscopic surgery under regional anesthesia. The anesthesiologist injected 10 mL of bupivacaine and 30 mL of ropivacaine, of unknown concentrations, while attempting to perform an interscalene block. Soon thereafter, the patient complained of difficulty breathing and subsequently developed complete paralysis and respiratory arrest requiring emergent endotracheal intubation prior to hospital arrival. No additional medications were administered at the time of intubation.\nPhysical exam revealed dilated pupils nonreactive to light, complete flaccid paralysis and inability to withdraw from noxious stimuli. The patient immediately received two liters of 0.9% normal saline and a dopamine infusion, initiated at 5 mcg/kg/min, due to persistent bradycardia (heart rate of 44 bpm) and hypotension. The local poison control center was contacted for recommendations on potential LAT. The decision was made to administer 20% ILE, with a bolus of 125 mL (1.5 mL/kg) over one minute, about 90 minutes after presentation. Shortly after, propofol was initiated for post-intubation sedation at 10 mcg/kg/min. The remaining volume of ILE (125 mL) was then immediately infused over two hours at a rate of 0.013 mL/kg/min.\nApproximately 30 minutes after the initiation of ILE, the patient began to regain brainstem reflexes and eye movement, which progressed to head nods, then movement of his upper extremities. In addition, during that time period, his blood pressure and heart rate improved to within normal parameters. Sixty minutes later, the patient was able to communicate by writing down responses to questions. One hour after that, he had full recovery and was extubated. The patient recovered completely without any evidence of neurological sequelae and was discharged 30 hours after presentation.
A 15 year old girl presented to the ER with coma following several tonic–clonic convulsions.\nThe patient was previously healthy with no personal or familial medical history. During her visit to a dentist for endodontic treatment, the dentist injected 1.5 ml of 2 % lidocaine (the total dose was 30 mg) and epinephrine 1:100,000 for local anesthesia. The solution was injected on the left side by an expert hand without prior aspiration.\nThe injection lasted about 2 min. By the end of the injection, the girl collapsed and several intermittent tonic–clonic convulsions ensued. These lasted about 30 min and were followed by deep coma.\nGlasgow coma scale (GCS) was three, brainstem reflexes were intact, and no fever was noticed. Vital signs were within normal limits.\nHer left cheek and gingiva were edematous and a giant gingival hematoma was noticed.\nOptic disc examination showed no edema.\nElectrocardiogram (ECG) was normal except for sinus tachycardia (120 beat per minute).\nElectroencephalography (EEG) showed diffuse slow activity, predominately theta rhythms, with no signs of continuous status epilepticus.\nBrain computed tomography (CT) revealed reduced white–gray matter differentiation with effacement of cerebral sulci which was compatible with cerebral edema.\nBrain magnetic resonance imaging with venogram (Fig. ) and angiogram (Fig. ) MRI + MRV + MRA showed cerebral edema, bilateral and almost symmetric hyperintense T2 lesions with restricted diffusion in both frontal and occipital lobes (Fig. ), and no underlying cerebral venous thrombosis CVT.\nLumbar puncture was performed and revealed the following results: 10 lymphocytes, elevated protein (50 mg/dl), no RBCs, and negative gram stain. Whereas blood glucose was 50 mg/dl, CSF glucose was 70.\nOrdinary labs including Calcium, Albumin, MG, Na, K, creatinine, urea, LFTs, CBC, Plt, PT, PTT, and INR were all normal and troponin was negative.\nThe patient was admitted to the ICU and intubated.\nPhenytoin at dose 15 mg/kg was loaded with close cardiac monitoring, and a maintenance dose of 100 mg twice daily was initiated in the second day.\nA bolus (1 g/kg) of Mannitol was given intravenously, followed by a maintenance dose of 0.5 g/kg/8 h. GCS, consequently, improved to nine in 2 days.\nThe patient recovered completely and was discharged after a week of admission.