Air Embolism During Wisdom Teeth Removal Causes Death

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Between October 6,1986 and September 17,1987, 11 patients underwent insertion of mandibular dental prostheses by the same oral surgeon. Three patients suffered cardiac arrest during surgery and subsequently died. Two of the patients who died had received general anaesthetics and the other had intravenous sedation given by three different anaesthetists. All three patients arrested suddenly, developing profound cyanosis and electrical mechanical dissociation, underwent prolonged resuscitative efforts, and had marked hypoxaemia and hypercapnia, despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Two other patients had signs of injection of air but survived, one suffering cardiac collapse and the other sustaining massive subcutaneous emphysema. Air embolism was produced by inadvertent injection of a mixture of air and water, passing through the hollow dental drill, directly into the mandible to the facial and pterygoidplexus veins and thence to the superior vena cava and right atrium.  To find out … Read more

Subcutaneous Emphysema In Dental Procedures

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Subcutaneous emphysema, surgical emphysema, or tissue space emphysema are different names for a similar condition, namely, the abnormal presence of air in tissue spaces Subcutaneous emphysema occurs rarely during dental procedures. When it does occur, it can be a frightening experience that often will be confused with an anaphylactic reaction. Differentiating the two conditions is not difficult. Palpation of the swollen head and neck areas will elicit crepitus, or a ‘Velcro’ sensation, that is not present in anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis occurs after exposure to an allergen that elicits an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity that leads to an abrupt onset of symptoms that may include pruritis of lips, tongue and palate; oedema of the lips; nausea; vomiting; dysponea; wheezing; rhinorrhoea; syncope and hypotension. Anaphylaxis is a true medical emergency, whereas subcutaneous emphysema is generally not life-threatening. Therapy for subcutaneous emphysema involves the following: (i) … Read more

Meningitis

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Menigitis is an inflammation of the meninges which are the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Most of the time, the inflammation is caused by bacteria or viruses while the less common causes include fungi, protozoa, and other parasites. Sometimes certain medications, cancers, or other diseases can inflame the meninges, although such noninfectious cases of meningitis are very rare. Bacterial menigitis occurs in people of all ages but is more common in infants and young children and people above age 60. Teenagers and young adults are slightly more at risk for the disease because of time spent in close contact with many of their peers. Viral meningitis occurs in people of all ages, although it is more common in children. Many of the bacteria or viruses that can cause meningitis are fairly common and are more often associated … Read more

Interesting Discussion on Headaches

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If you are looking for an interesting discussion on headaches and want to see some other people who have been suffering for many many years thoughts and feelings on the subject you can visit the link at the bottom of this post. The link is to a article written by Paula Kamen on Migraines and her prespective and an interview with a headache specialist. I personally strongly dislike the article due to leaving not much hope to patients suffering with headaches and the problem with doctors who are trying to treat them. http://migraine.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/leaving-the-rabbit-hole/#comments 

Increased Intracranial Pressure

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Definition: An increase in normal brain pressure can be due to an increase in cerebrospinal fluid pressure. It can also be due to increased pressure within the brain matter caused by lesions (such as a tumor) or swelling within the brain matter itself. Alternative Names: ICP; Intracranial pressure – increased Causes, incidence, and risk factors: An increase in your intracranial pressure is a severe medical problem. The pressure itself can be responsible for further damage to the central nervous system by causing compression of important brain structures and by restricting blood flow through blood vessels that supply the brain. Many conditions can increase intracranial pressure. Common causes include: severe head injury subdural hematoma hydrocephalus brain tumor hypertensive brain hemorrhage intraventricular hemorrhage menigitis encephalitis aneurysm rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage status epilepticus stroke Symptoms: Infants: bulging fontanelle separated sutures lethargy vomiting Older children and … Read more