Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Iatrogenic Conditions
Number of Conditions: 3
Anesthetic toxicity (e.g., lidocaine, bupivacaine)
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Adverse Effects of Therapeutics and Medical Agents
Sub-category: Iatrogenic Conditions
Symptoms:
numbness; tingling; seizures; dizziness; difficulty breathing; arrhythmias; cardiovascular collapse; confusion
Root Cause:
Overdose or unintended systemic absorption of local anesthetics leading to central nervous system and cardiovascular toxicity.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and history of recent local anesthetic administration; blood levels of the anesthetic can confirm toxicity.
Treatment:
Immediate discontinuation of the anesthetic, intravenous lipid emulsion therapy, supportive care (oxygen, airway management, and monitoring), and anticonvulsants for seizures (e.g., benzodiazepines).
Medications:
Medications include intravenous lipid emulsion therapy (as a treatment to counteract toxicity), anticonvulsants like lorazepam or diazepam (sedatives and anticonvulsants), and vasopressors (such as epinephrine) if required for managing cardiovascular symptoms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, but incidence is higher in patients with high doses or when multiple injections are administered, especially in high-risk procedures.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High doses of local anesthetics, accidental intravenous injection, renal or hepatic insufficiency, prolonged duration of anesthesia, and use of multiple anesthetics simultaneously.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Typically reversible with appropriate treatment; mortality is rare but possible with delayed or inadequate intervention.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Seizures, cardiovascular collapse, neurological deficits, arrhythmias, and in extreme cases, death.
Radiation therapy-induced toxicity
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Adverse Effects of Therapeutics and Medical Agents
Sub-category: Iatrogenic Conditions
Symptoms:
skin burns; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; dry mouth; difficulty swallowing; pneumonitis; esophagitis
Root Cause:
The ionizing radiation used in cancer therapy causes damage to normal healthy tissues, leading to acute or chronic inflammation and cellular damage.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, timing in relation to radiation therapy, and imaging findings; biopsy or laboratory tests may be used to assess tissue damage.
Treatment:
Management involves corticosteroids, anti-nausea medications, pain relief, and symptomatic management of skin or mucosal irritation. Depending on the affected organ, more specific treatments may be required (e.g., antibiotics for radiation pneumonitis).
Medications:
Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone , dexamethasone ) are used to reduce inflammation, anti-nausea drugs (e.g., ondansetron ), pain relievers, and sometimes antibiotics or immunosuppressants for more severe reactions.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Radiation-induced toxicity is a common complication, though its severity depends on the type and location of radiation therapy.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High radiation doses, field size, proximity of radiation to critical organs, underlying health conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease), and concurrent chemotherapy.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most toxicity symptoms resolve after treatment; however, long-term or permanent tissue damage can occur, especially with high doses.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic fatigue, fibrosis, secondary cancers, esophageal stenosis, and pulmonary issues.
Contrast-induced nephropathy (from imaging studies)
Specialty: Toxicology
Category: Adverse Effects of Therapeutics and Medical Agents
Sub-category: Iatrogenic Conditions
Symptoms:
acute kidney dysfunction; decreased urine output; swelling; nausea; vomiting; fatigue
Root Cause:
Contrast agents used in imaging studies can cause kidney damage, typically through direct toxicity to the renal tubular cells or through causing vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to the kidneys.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves assessing kidney function through serum creatinine levels, urine output, and the timing of symptoms in relation to contrast exposure. Imaging may also show signs of kidney damage.
Treatment:
The mainstay of treatment is supportive care, which includes hydration, monitoring kidney function, and possibly using diuretics in some cases. Dialysis may be required in severe cases.
Medications:
N-acetylcysteine (a potential preventive measure), bicarbonate infusions (to alkalinize urine and prevent nephropathy), and diuretics (e.g., furosemide ) may be used if necessary to manage kidney function.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Contrast-induced nephropathy occurs in approximately 2-5% of patients exposed to contrast media, though this varies with the population studied and the type of contrast used.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Pre-existing renal disease, dehydration, diabetes, older age, use of high-osmolar contrast agents, and concurrent use of nephrotoxic drugs.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most patients recover with appropriate management, but some may develop chronic kidney disease or require dialysis.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances, and in rare cases, kidney failure.