Stephen Winbery

Bio: Stephen Winbery is an academic researcher from University of Tennessee. The author has contributed to research in topics: Benzoylecgonine & Norcocaine. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 9 publications receiving 323 citations.

Foreign Body Ingestions in the Emergency Department: Case Reports and Review of Treatment

Abstract: We report a series of alleged ingestions of razor blades and other metal objects by prisoners presenting to an inner city Emergency Department. Fourteen claims of ingestions of razor blades or other metal objects involving eight prisoners occurred in a 5-week period. The motives behind the ingestions varied. Auditory hallucination was the most common reason given for the ingestions. Other motives included efforts to leave prison, depression, and accidental razor blade swallowing. Attempts were made in all patients to verify ingestions by radiograph. Some ingestions could not be confirmed by radiograph and were considered to be factitious. Only 1 of the 14 incidents resulted in hospital admission. All others were either treated in the Emergency Department or the patient was returned to jail with no treatment. No patient had a poor clinical outcome as a result of the ingestion, indicating that diagnostic radiographs and invasive procedures may not always be necessary. A review of treatment of foreign body ingestions is given as well as a summary of the treatment and outcome of these cases.

Blood cocaine and metabolite concentrations, clinical findings, and outcome of patients presenting to an ED.

Abstract: The purpose was to determine if blood cocaine or metabolite concentrations would accurately reflect the severity of clinical findings in patients presenting to the emergency department, identifying those requiring therapeutic intervention or those at risk for poor outcome. Blood for determination of cocaine and metabolite concentrations was drawn from patients and were determined by an extractive alkylation/mass spectrometry procedure. The mean blood concentrations (mg/L) in 111 patients were as follows: cocaine, 0.26 +/- 0.5; ecgonine 0.42 +/- 0.47; ecgonine methyl ester 0.21 +/- 0.37, norcocaine 0.03 +/- 0.17; benzoylecgonine 1.28 +/- 1.29, cocaethylene 0.02 +/- 0.06. Two patients died, 23 required hospital admission, and 88 were discharged from the ED. There was no statistical correlation between cocaine or any metabolite concentration and the severity of clinical symptoms, disposition, need for treatment or outcome. Blood cocaine and metabolite concentrations should be interpreted with caution because they vary widely and do not predict the severity of clinical findings, the incidence of adverse effects, outcome, or need for interventional therapy.

Histamine and antihistamines in anaphylaxis.

Abstract: Anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions are potentially fatal. These disorders are sometimes iatrogenic, and increase with increased exposure to drugs, synthetic substances, and medical procedures. Non-IgE-mediated anaphylactoid reactions are common in medical settings and are clinically indistinguishable from anaphylaxis. These reactions may be unrecognized if a rigid classic definition of anaphylaxis is used. Histamine is a primary mediator of anaphylaxis and signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis can be reproduced by histamine infusion. Histamine triggers a cascade of inflammatory mediators and modulates its own release. H1-antihistamines are adjunctive treatment therapy for acute anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions, in which many mediators of inflammation are involved. Compared with epinephrine, the first-response medication of choice, antihistamines have a slow onset of action, and they cannot block events that occur subsequent to histamine binding to its receptors. Antihistamines are an important component of regimens for the prevention of anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions in patients at risk, and may eventually have more widespread application in the perioperative setting. In some instances, such as with exercise-induced anaphylaxis and reactions to latex in sensitized individuals, prophylaxis regimens are not always effective. H2-antagonists are not detrimental in the therapy of anaphylaxis and many studies show a favorable outcome when combining H1- and H2-antagonist therapy for prophylaxis. They should be added to therapy at the discretion of the treating physician. Because of decreased antimuscarinic and central nervous system side effects, the newer antihistamines can be given in high doses, allowing more complete blockade of histamine receptors. These agents should lead to a reevaluation of the usefulness of antihistamines in both the treatment of acute anaphylaxis and in prophylactic regimens. The unavailability of parenterally administered second-generation H1-antagonists limits their usefulness in acute anaphylaxis and perioperative prophylaxis.

Multiple cocaine-induced seizures and corresponding cocaine and metabolite concentrations.

Abstract: The etiology of seizures associated with cocaine use is unclear. Because cocaine seizures are relatively uncommon, they should be diagnosed by exclusion and a neurological workup to rule out central nervous system (CNS) catastrophe should be made. This report describes the clinical findings, treatment, and blood cocaine and metabolite concentrations in a patient who, on two separate occasions, had seizures associated with crack cocaine ingestion. Approximately 1 hour after the ingestion incidents, the patient had multiple, generalized seizures that abated spontaneously. His workup for CNS bleeding, infection, and trauma was negative. Cocaine concentrations on the first incident peaked at 2.48 mg/L and on the second incident peaked at 3.9 mg/L. Other clinical findings included tachycardia, hypertension, diaphoresis, and disorientation. Blood cocaine and metabolite analysis revealed extremely high concentrations. Other than the incident of seizures and transient cardiovascular aberrations, these high concentrations were tolerated by the patient without further sequelae. A review of cocaine-induced seizures and treatment is included.

Advances in H1-Antihistamines

Abstract: Histamine has an important role as a chemical messenger in physiologic responses, neurotransmission, allergic inflammation, and immunomodulation by way of the H1-receptor. Most H1-antihistamines, which are useful in treating these effects, possess similar efficacy in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and chronic urticaria. However, there are clinically relevant differences among them in their pharmacology and safety profiles.