BIPP madness; an iatrogenic cause of acute confusion

Bioactive Bismuth Compounds: Is Their Toxicity a Barrier to Therapeutic Use?

Bismuth compounds are considered relatively non-toxic, with their low solubility in aqueous solutions (e.g., biological fluids) being the major contributing factor to this property. Bismuth derivatives are widely used for the treatment of peptic ulcers, functional dyspepsia, and chronic gastritis. Moreover, the properties of bismuth compounds have also been extensively explored in two main fields of action: antimicrobial and anticancer. Despite the clinical interest of bismuth-based drugs, several side effects have also been reported. In fact, excessive acute ingestion of bismuth, or abuse for an extended period of time, can lead to toxicity. However, evidence has demonstrated that the discontinuation of these compounds usually reverses their toxic effects. Notwithstanding, the continuously growing use of bismuth products suggests that it is indeed part of our environment and our daily lives, which urges a more in-depth review and investigation into its possible undesired activities. Therefore, this review aims to update the pharmaco-toxicological properties of bismuth compounds. A special focus will be given to in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies exploring their toxicity.

Iodide-Induced Severe Encephalopathy: A Case Report and Literature Review

A physically independent and mentally competent 61-year-old gentleman was diagnosed with left upper alveolar spindle cell carcinoma. He underwent left infrastructure maxillectomy with reconstruction and had bismuth iodoform paraffin paste packed in the post-operative cavities. The patient subsequently exhibited labile emotions and acute delirium. Further investigation showed that his urine iodine level was highly elevated. He eventually made a full recovery and returned home.

Clinical and Forensic Signs Resulting from Exposure to Heavy Metals and Other Chemical Elements of the Periodic Table

Several heavy metals and other chemical elements are natural components of the Earth’s crust and their properties and toxicity have been recognized for thousands of years. Moreover, their use in industries presents a major source of environmental and occupational pollution. Therefore, this ubiquity in daily life may result in several potential exposures coming from natural sources (e.g., through food and water contamination), industrial processes, and commercial products, among others. The toxicity of most chemical elements of the periodic table accrues from their highly reactive nature, resulting in the formation of complexes with intracellular compounds that impair cellular pathways, leading to dysfunction, necrosis, and apoptosis. Nervous, gastrointestinal, hematopoietic, renal, and dermatological systems are the main targets. This manuscript aims to collect the clinical and forensic signs related to poisoning from heavy metals, such as thallium, lead, copper, mercury, iron, cadmium, and bismuth, as well as other chemical elements such as arsenic, selenium, and fluorine. Furthermore, their main sources of occupational and environmental exposure are highlighted in this review. The importance of rapid recognition is related to the fact that, through a high degree of suspicion, the clinician could rapidly initiate treatment even before the toxicological results are available, which can make a huge difference in these patients’ outcomes.

Myoclonus From Intoxication by Bismuth Iodoform Paraffin Paste (BIPP) Nasopharyngeal Packing

Bismuth iodoform paraffin paste (BIPP) gauze is widely used as an antiseptic wound packing in otolaryngology, head, and neck surgery. Uncommonly, BIPP can cause intoxication. Our report highlights an elderly patient who developed encephalopathy and overt myoclonus after nasopharyngectomy secondary to intoxication by the components of the BIPP gauze. The patient’s impaired renal function, the amount of BIPP packing and the extensive nature of his wound likely predisposed him to BIPP toxicity. The myoclonus and delirium resolved promptly after removal of the BIPP packs. Clinicians should be aware of the clinical features of BIPP intoxication because of its common usage.

Quest for the Ideal Nasal Pack in Post Operative Cases of Septo-Turbinoplasty: Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

To compare the efficacies and post operative outcomes of patients with nasal packing with merocel, intranasal splints and merocel along with intra-nasal infant feeding tubes following septo-turbinoplasty, in patients with nasal obstruction secondary to septal deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy. A prospective study was done in 60 patients of symptomatic deviated nasal septum with inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Septoturbinoplasty was performed. Patients' nasal cavity was packed for 48 h after being randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) packing using merocel, (2) intra-intra nasal septal silicone splint, (3) packing using truncated merocel along with infant feeding tube. Patients were given a questionnaire 24 h post operatively and their reponse was analysed to compare nasal blockage, epistaxis, epiphora and headache. Pain on pack removal was recorded after 48 h. We found that merocel with infant feeding tube had better tolerance than plain merocel in almost all cases, with symptoms of nasal blockage, epiphora, headache and pain on pack removal being lesser than with plain merocel, and comparable to the results produced by nasal splints. Also the epistaxis control in merocel with infant feeding tube was better than with nasal splints. Truncated merocel with infant feeding tubes provides a suitable and cheap replacement for nasal splints which may not be affordable to a lot of patients, or may not in available in many settings. The results are superior to plain merocel and the control of post operative bleeding is better than with intra nasal splints.

Bismuth: Environmental Pollution and Health Effects☆

Although it has been used for centuries, bismuth remains one of the least understood elements in the periodic table. Metallic bismuth and bismuth compounds have been widely used in the manufacture of alloys, pigments, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. As a “green” heavy metal, the substitution of lead with bismuth in some industries may partially resolve the environmental problems related to heavy metal pollution. In health care, as bismuth has low toxicity to humans, bismuth-based drugs such as colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS), ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC), bismuth subsalicylate (BSS), bismuth iodoform and radioactive bismuth (²¹²Bi/²¹³Bi) complexes have been developed and used in clinics to treat various diseases. In most cases, bismuth therapies exhibit high therapeutic efficacies and little side effects; nevertheless, there are still reported cases of bismuth toxicity caused by bismuth over-dosage.

Wound Healing Concepts in Clinical Practice of OMFS

BACKGROUND

Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process and a thorough knowledge of the basics of physiology of wound healing is a must to implement principles of chronic wound care. Understanding wound healing at multiple levels-biochemical, physiologic, cellular and molecular provides the surgeon with a framework for basing clinical decisions aimed at optimizing the healing response.

OBJECTIVE

This review article describes the classification of wounds and aims to highlight the fundamentals of wound repair, enumerating the dressings used commonly and also, the newer concepts of wound healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Search engines and medical databases were tapped to gather information on the subject. Search words employed were "Wounds", "wounds in OSMF", "Wound healing", "Repair", "Dressings in OMFS".

RESULTS

The search resulted in total of 153 articles which we reviewed to add to the literature the concepts of wound healing and to throw some light on recent advances in wound care.

CONCLUSIONS

Wound healing remains a challenging clinical problem and correct, efficient wound management is essential to positively influence the wound healing course and reduce potential complications.

Bismuth iodoform paraffin paste: a review

Introduction:

This article reviews the literature pertaining to bismuth iodoform paraffin paste.

Overview:

Bismuth iodoform paraffin paste is used in most otolaryngology departments on a daily basis. Questions about its properties are common in postgraduate otolaryngology examinations. This article reviews bismuth iodoform paraffin paste's current and historical usage, constituents, properties, side effects, and radiographic properties, and its alternatives in otological and rhinological practice.

Bismuth: Environmental Pollution and Health Effects

Although it has been used for centuries, bismuth remains one of the least understood elements in the periodic table. Metallic bismuth and bismuth compounds have been widely used in the manufacture of alloys, pigments, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. As a ‘green’ heavy metal, the substitution of lead with bismuth in some industries may partially resolve the environmental problems related to heavy metal pollution. In health care, as bismuth has low toxicity to humans, bismuth-based drugs such as colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS), ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC), bismuth subsalicylate (BSS), bismuth iodoform, and radioactive bismuth (²¹²Bi/²¹³Bi) complexes have been developed and used in clinics to treat various diseases. In most cases, bismuth therapies exhibit high therapeutic efficacies and little side effects; nevertheless, there are still reported cases of bismuth toxicity caused by bismuth over-dosage.

Allergic Reaction to Bismuth-lodoform-Paraffin Paste (BIPP) Following Ear Surgery

Bismuth Iodoform Paraffin Paste (BIPP) impregnated ribbon gauze is one of the most commonly used packs after external and middle ear surgery. Allergic reaction to BIPP is rare. We report two cases of hypersensitive BIPP reaction following tympanoplasty surgery. To our knowledge no such cases have been reported previously in Qatar. We reviewed the literature and discuss the management and its prevention.