Salicylate toxicity masquerading as malignant hyperthermia
J M Candy1, C Morrison, R D Paton
1Department of Anaesthesia, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland, UK.
Paediatric Anaesthesia
|September 22, 1998
Summary
A boy experienced hyperpyrexia after anesthesia for appendicectomy, likely from topical salicylate toxicity. Some symptoms mimicked malignant hyperpyrexia, highlighting a rare adverse drug reaction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Clinical Toxicology
- Pharmacovigilance
Background:
- Topical salicylate application can lead to systemic toxicity, particularly in pediatric patients.
- General anesthesia presents unique challenges in managing potential adverse drug reactions.
- Appendicectomy is a common pediatric surgical procedure.
Observation:
- An eleven-year-old boy developed hyperpyrexia immediately post-general anesthesia for appendicectomy.
- Clinical presentation included features suggestive of malignant hyperpyrexia.
Findings:
- The hyperpyrexia was presumed secondary to topical salicylate toxicity.
- Differential diagnosis considered malignant hyperpyrexia due to overlapping clinical signs.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of monitoring for salicylate toxicity in pediatric patients post-operatively.
- Awareness of potential overlap in symptoms between salicylate toxicity and malignant hyperpyrexia is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
- Highlights the need for vigilance regarding topical medication safety in surgical contexts.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Toxidromes: Clinical Features
24
Toxidromes are specific patterns of symptoms resulting from toxic substance exposure. They help in the identification and treatment of poisoning. The symptoms of each toxidrome group indicate poisoning by a certain class of chemicals or drugs.1. Sympathomimetic: Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, and pupil size. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, along with tremors and...
24
01:19Homeostatic Imbalances in Body Temperature
4.3K
Hyperthermia occurs when the body's temperature becomes unusually high, often due to heat exposure, intense physical activity, or certain illnesses. This condition can create a dangerous cycle where elevated body temperature increases the metabolic rate, generating more heat and potentially leading to organ failure and brain damage. A severe form of hyperthermia, called heat stroke, can raise body temperature to life-threatening levels. Fever, on the other hand, is a controlled form of...
4.3K
01:25Increased Body Temperature
7.5K
A body temperature above 38°C (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in...
7.5K
01:25Types of Fever
1.3K
Fever can be triggered by several factors, including infections, nervous system disorders, certain cancers, blood diseases like leukemia, embolism, thrombosis, heatstroke, dehydration, surgical trauma, crushing injuries, and allergic reactions.
Here are the different types of fever:
Here are the different types of fever:
1.3K
01:26Toxic Reactions: Overview
2.5K
When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
2.5K
01:17Antidotes
1.2K
Antidotes are medicinal substances used to counteract the harmful effects of toxins or drugs in the body. They function in various ways, each uniquely designed to combat specific toxic compounds.
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
1.2K