Delirium tremens (DTs) is a rapid onset of confusion usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol. When it occurs, it is often three days into the withdrawal symptoms and lasts for two to three days. Physical effects may include shaking, shivering, irregular heart rate, and sweating. People may also hallucinate. Occasionally, a very high body temperature or seizures may result in death. Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs to withdraw from.Delirium tremens typically only occurs in people with a high intake of alcohol for more than a month. A similar syndrome may occur with benzodiazepine and barbiturate withdrawal. Withdrawal from stimulants such as cocaine do not have major medical complications. In a person with delirium tremens it is important to rule out other associated problems such as electrolyte abnormalities, pancreatitis, and alcoholic hepatitis.Prevention is by treating withdrawal symptoms. If delirium tremens occurs, aggressive treatment improves outcomes. Treatment in a quiet intensive care unit with sufficient light is often recommended. Benzodiazepines are the medication of choice with diazepam, lorazepam, chlordiazepoxide, and oxazepam all commonly used. They should be given until a person is lightly sleeping. The antipsychotic haloperidol may also be used. The vitamin thiamine is recommended. Mortality without treatment is between 15% and 40%. Currently death occurs in about 1% to 4% of cases.About half of people with alcoholism will develop withdrawal symptoms upon reducing their use. Of these, 3% to 5% develop DTs or have seizures.The name delirium tremens was first used in 1813; however, the symptoms were well described since the 1700s.
When the dural tear is associated with a dural sinus hemorrhage, a graft of pericranium is used for a small tear and a muscle graft from temporalis is used for a large tear. The muscle graft is flattened by hammering before using it for grafting. If dural tear is associated with a brain injury, wide exposure of the wound is done to examine the extent of brain damage. All devitalized brain tissues are removed along with extravasated blood, foreign bodies and pieces of bone. All devitalized tissue and foreign bodies are removed by a combination of irrigation and suction. Following dural repair, skull deficit is treated by using moulded tantalum plates or acrylic inlays, three to six months after the head injury. == References ==