A 16-year-old girl was admitted to the ICU with a history of consuming poison (20 ml of deltamethrin containing 12.5mg/ml, total dose = 250mg) following a domestic dispute. She presented with status epilepticus. As per the details gathered from the relatives, the patient was having continuous generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCs) (status) since one hour prior to admission and was even convulsing during her transfer to the hospital. On arrival the patient was immediately intubated and ventilated and resuscitation started.\nThe convulsions were treated with injection Lorazepam, but there was no response. Further, doses of IV Midazolam/ Valproate/Phenobarbitone were given, but the convulsions continued. A bolus does of Thiopentone was then given, after which she stopped convulsing. She was started on a thiopentone infusion. Despite the thiopentone infusion, she had four episodes of GTCs in the next six hours, which were managed with further boluses of thiopentone (200mg) and increase in rate of the infusion. Inotropes were started and IV fluids were continued which were guided by CVP and arterial BP monitoring. Her rhythm on ECG was normal and lungs were clinically dry. CNS examination was not possible because she was sedated with thiopentone. Her pupils were dilated (6mm) and fixed.\nAn EEG showed 80% suppression of the brain. CT scan showed diffuse cerebral edema with effacement of sulci and chinking of lateral ventricles.\nLab reports showed normal S. cholinesterase levels (4340 IU/L), normal serum electrolytes and urine negative for myoglobin.\nAfter 48 hours of being on thiopentone infusion (24 hours without convulsions), she was weaned off thiopentone infusion. The patient was triggering the ventilator well by the next day (day 4). Supports were hence taken off gradually. The patient's pupils became reactive by day 5.\nIn the following days, the patient was tracheostomized (in view of anticipated prolonged mechanical ventilation) and T-piece trials were initiated soon. By day 11, she was opening eyes to call and was moving all four limbs, but with reduced power. Tracheostomy was decannulated on day 14 [].\nNerve conduction studies were done in view of her poor muscle strength which showed “severe, generalized, predominantly motor axonal polyneuropathy”.\nThe patient was shifted to the ward after 18 days of ICU stay, on supportive care. Wheelchair ambulation was started on day 21 and the patient was discharged on day 26.
Mr. A, a 22-year-old Hispanic male with past psychiatric history of methamphetamine dependence and bipolar disorder type 1, came to the emergency department because of suicidal ideation with a plan to slash his throat with a machete. The patient was very agitated in triage and during initial assessment. In the emergency room (ER), the patient reported that he had been using methamphetamine for the last two years. His last use was a few hours before coming to the ER and that was his only use during the past six to eight weeks.\nOn physical examination, temperature was found to be 96.5 degree Fahrenheit, pulse 105/minute, blood pressure 124/78 mm Hg, weight 68.0 kg, and height 173 cm. His pupils were 5 mm in diameter and reactive. In the review of systems, the patient denied any pulmonary, cardiac, renal, and abdominal complaints. There was no increased lacrimation. Lungs were clear and the heart rate was regular without murmurs. Bowel sounds were normoactive. The patient was not oriented to time. His affect was flat and irritable. He was evasive and tangential while answering questions. A chest radiograph and electrocardiogram were normal. His urinary drug screen was positive for amphetamines, methamphetamines, and cannabinoids. Blood chemistry concentrations/counts/percent of the following analyses were mainly within reference limits: alcohol <5 mg/dL, salicylate <4 mg/dL, sodium 141 mmol/L, potassium 3.8 mmol/L, chloride 107 mmol/L, blood urea nitrogen 10 mg/dL, creatinine 0.9 mg/dL, aspartate transaminase 23 U/L, alanine transaminase 18 U/L, alkaline phosphatase 69 U/L, thyroid stimulating hormone 0.57 μIU/mL, white blood cells 10.7 K/uL, red blood cells 4.49 Mu/L, haemoglobin 13.9 g/dL, hematocrit 42.2%, and platelets 239 K/uL. Urinalysis revealed nothing abnormal.\nThe patient was transferred to the inpatient psychiatry unit. The next day, the patient was disoriented, refused to talk to the treatment team, and slept most of the day. On his third hospital day, the patient was much more oriented and reported that he was unable to get methamphetamine for the past six to eight weeks because he could not afford it. He claimed to use an insecticide, mostly cockroach killer, to “get high.” He would either “electrocute” the bottle or spray it on a heated metal sheet, and when the contents of the bottle turned into crystal, he would either inhale it or smoke it. The patient would use the crystals formed from one bottle for four to seven days. He claimed that his friends used those crystals intravenously after diluting them. The patient reported that it would give him the same high as methamphetamine and he would occasionally have feelings of deja vu. The patient also reported having olfactory hallucinations when he was on “crystal roach killer” but could not elaborate on that. He said that he liked the increase in heart rate and the “rush” he used to get after every use.\nThe patient's last use of the “crystal roach killer” was three days before coming to the ER. The patient reported that he would sleep most of the day when he was using it. He denied unwanted adverse effects during his use except for frequent headaches upon waking up which were relieved by over-the-counter analgesics. The patient had been using the insecticide for six to eight weeks and only used methamphetamine one (1) day before coming to the ER. The patient claimed that he had been compliant with his medications for bipolar disorder until he started using “crystal roach killer.” The patient was taking divalproex sodium 500 mg twice daily and quetiapine extended-release 300 mg at bedtime. He voiced that he, since a few weeks before coming to the ER, got scared that he might get cancer because of the frequent use of the insecticide, which led him to have suicidal ideation.