Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome:Clinical diagnosis of an underrecognised manifestation of chronic cannabis abuse

Cannabis is a common drug of abuse that is associated with various long-term and short-term adverse effects. The nature of its association with vomiting after chronic abuse is obscure and is underrecognised by clinicians.In some patients this vomiting can take on a pattern similar to cyclic vomiting syndrome with a peculiar compulsive hot bathing pattern,which relieves intense feelings of nausea and accompanying symptoms.In this case report,we describe a twenty-two year-old-male with a history of chronic cannabis abuse presenting with recurrent vomiting,intense nausea and abdominal pain.In addition,the patient reported that the hot baths improved his symptoms during these episodes.Abstinence from cannabis led to resolution of the vomiting symptoms and abdominal pain.We conclude that in the setting of chronic cannabis abuse,patients presenting with chronic severe nausea and vomiting that can sometimes be accompanied by abdominal pain and compulsive hot bathing behaviour,in the absence of other obvious causes,a diagnosis of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome should be considered.

Case of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome with long-term follow-up

Long-term cannabis use may be associated with attacks of severe nausea and vomiting, and a characteristic learned behavior of compulsive hot bathing, termed cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome(CHS). Long-term follow-up and prognosis of CHS have not been reported previously. A 44-year-old Caucasian man with a long history of addiction to marijuana presented with chronic abdominal pain complicated by attacks of uncontrollable vomiting for 16 years. He had a compulsion to take scalding hot showers, as many as 15 times a day, to relieve his symptoms. All previous therapies had been ineffective. However, abstinence from marijuana led to rapid and complete resolution of all symptoms and his compulsive hot showering behavior. He has been followed for nine years, and is still doing well without recurrence of symptoms. Physicians should have a high index of suspicion for this under-recognized condition, as excellent long-term prognosis of CHS can be achieved when abstinence is maintained.

Treatment of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome-Associated Nausea with Haloperidol: A Case Report

Introduction: Because of the rising prevalence of cannabis abuse, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) was recognized as a new medical diagnosis in 2004. Despite the syndrome’s growing prevalence, many providers are unfamiliar with its diagnosis and treatment, and there is little data to back up clinical knowledge and treatment recommendations. For many years, haloperidol has been widely used as an antiemetic, despite a lack of evidence-based clinical data on efficacy and side effects. We present the case of a female who presented to the emergency room with suspected CHS and was treated with haloperidol. Case: A 34-year-old African-American woman with diabetes and a history of marijuana use presented to the emergency department with refractory nausea and vomiting. Her urine drug screen came back positive for THC, but she denied using marijuana prior to this admission. She stated that she was following her current medication regimen. She denied drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Multiple doses of ondansetron, promethazine, scopolamine, and metoclopramide had no effect on the patient. After two days of treatment with haloperidol 5 mg by mouth every 8 hours, nausea and vomiting subsided. Discussion: Haloperidol was able to control nausea and vomiting in six previous case reports of CHS. However, haloperidol was administered intravenously in five of the reports, and the route of administration was not specified in the sixth. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to demonstrate the benefit of oral haloperidol for CHS. Conclusion: Although cessation of marijuana use is required for long-term resolution of CHS, our case and six others show the benefit of using IV haloperidol for acute management and oral for relapse prevention. More extensive clinical trials are needed to confirm haloperidol’s therapeutic role in patients presenting with CHS symptoms.

Management and Outcome of Hyperemesis Gravidarum at Tertiary Obstetric Facility, Khartoum-Sudan

Introduction: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is vomiting and/or nausea in pregnancy causes dehydration, electrolytes imbalance, weight loss and further serious organs dysfunction. Methods: This was a descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional hospital based total coverage analytic study, which was conducted from November 2013 to May 2014 at Omdurman New Hospital (ONH) for Obstetrics & Gynecology, Khartoum-Sudan. Results: HG prevalence is 13% of complicated pregnancy of ONH admission. Acetonurea is reported in all cases with significant association between acetonurea and smoking (P value = 0.005). A significant association between Hemoglobulin level and the readmission the (P value = 0.01) was reported. One maternal death is reported from severe hypoglycemia and liver impairment. Conclusion: Hyperemesis gravidarum has serious maternal morbidity with social negative impacts and significant financial burden on the health services.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome From Hyperemesis Gravidarum

To editor:Wernicke encephalopathy(WE)is an acute neurological disorder caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1(thiamine),with a prevalence of 1.3%in autopsy studies.1 Eighty-four percent of patients with WE will develop Korsakoff syndrome,which is characterized by amnesia and confusion.2 Although WE is more common in alcoholics,it can also be caused by vomiting,malnourishment,and other situations.

Relationship between hyperemesis gravidarum and Helicobacter pylori seropositivity

Early pregnancy is commonly characterized by the disturbance of digestive function, characteristically manifested by nausea and vomiting. These symptoms during early pregnancy usually disappear spontaneously after about 12 weeks. In a minority of pregnant women, these symptoms are very severe, and are associated with weight loss, dehydration, acidosis from starvation,

Helicobacter pylori infection in pregnant women:Gastrointestinal symptoms and pregnancy-related disorders

Helicobacter pylori(H.Pylori)is a gram-negative,flagellated and spiral-shaped bacterial pathogen that impacts approximately 46%among pregnant women globally and has been associated with various maternal-fetal complications.Iron deficiency anemia,fetal growth restriction,cardiovascular diseases,and insufficient nutrient absorption can be observed in pregnant women,as well as miscarriages and pregnancy-specific hypertensive disease,such as pre-eclampsia.Thus,the evidence supports the influence of H.pylori infection on fetal implantation/placentation failure,and positive strains of the cytotoxin-associated gene A of H.Pylori were reported as the most prevalent in these conditions.However,current knowledge indicates a relationship between this infection and the occurrence of hyperemesis gravidarum,characterized by frequent nausea and vomiting.Regarding the diagnosis of this bacterial infection,non-invasive approaches such as stool antigen test,urea breath test,and serological tests are more accepted during pregnancy,as they are easy to carry out and cost-effective.Finally,the bacteria eradication therapy should consider the risks and benefits for the pregnant woman and her child,with pharmacological intervention depending on the clinical presentation.

Severe Hypophosphatemia in Adolescent Cannabis User

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) involves cyclical nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain linked to use of cannabis with resolution of symptoms upon cessation of cannabinoids. Although electrolyte disturbances, fluid imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies are known complications of CHS in the setting of intractable vomiting, severe hypophosphatemia is a rare clinical phenomenon cited primarily in the adult literature. Pediatric cases are scarcer, thus the magnitude associated with our patient case describes an adolescent diagnosed with CHS complicated by recurrent severe hypophosphatemia. As cannabis accessibility and potential for abuse increase with the wave of legalization seen at the state level, clinician awareness is needed for such adverse entities related to cannabinoid toxicity.

Advances in understanding and treating liver diseases during pregnancy:A review

Liver disease in pregnancy is rare but pregnancyrelated liver diseases may cause threat to fetal and maternal survival.It includes pre-eclampsia;eclampsia;haemolysis,elevated liver enzymes,and low platelets syndrome;acute fatty liver of pregnancy;hyperemesis gravidarum;and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.Recent basic researches have shown the various etiologies involved in this disease entity.With these advances,rapid diagnosis is essential for severe cases since the decision of immediate delivery is important for maternal and fetal survival.The other therapeutic options have also been shown in recent reports based on the clinical trials and cooperation and information sharing between hepatologist and gynecologist is important for timely therapeutic intervention.Therefore,correct understandings of diseases and differential diagnosis from the pre-existing and co-incidental liver diseases during the pregnancy will help to achieve better prognosis.Therefore,here we review and summarized recent advances in understanding the etiologies,clinical courses and management of liver disease in pregnancy.This information will contribute to physicians for diagnosis of disease and optimum management of patients.

Liver diseases in pregnancy: Diseases unique to pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special clinical state with several normal physiological changes that influence body organs including the liver.Liver disease can cause significant morbidity and mortality in both pregnant women and their infants.This review summarizes liver diseases that are unique to pregnancy.We discuss clinical conditions that are seen only in pregnant women and involve the liver;from Hyperemesis Gravidarum that happens in 1out of 200 pregnancies and Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy(0.5%-1.5%prevalence),to the more frequent condition of preeclampsia(10%prevalence)and its severe form;hemolysis,elevated liver enzymes,and a low platelet count syndrome(12%of pregnancies with preeclampsia),to the rare entity of Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy(incidence of 1 per 7270 to 13000deliveries).Although pathogeneses behind the development of these aliments are not fully understood,theories have been proposed.Some propose the special physiological changes that accompany pregnancy as a precipitant.Others suggest a constellation of factors including both the mother and her fetus that come together to trigger those unique conditions.Reaching a timely and accurate diagnosis of such conditions can be challenging.The timing of the condition in relation toward which trimester it starts at is a key.Accurate diagnosis can be made using specific clinical findings and blood tests.Some entities have well-defined criteria that help not only in making the diagnosis,but also in classifying the disease according to its severity.Management of these conditions range from simple medical remedies to measures such as immediate termination of the pregnancy.In specific conditions,it is prudent to have expert obstetric and medical specialists teaming up to help improve the outcomes.

Helicobacter pylori and pregnancy-related disorders

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is investigated in gastric diseases even during pregnancy. In particular, this Gram-negative bacterium seems to be associated with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. During the last decade, the relationship among H. pylori and several extra-gastric diseases strongly emerged in literature. The correlation among H. pylori infection and pregnancy-related disorders was mainly focused on iron deficiency anemia, thrombocytopenia, fetal malformations, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. H. pylori infection may have a role in the pathogenesis of various pregnancy-related disorders through different mechanisms: depletion of micronutrients (iron and vitamin B12) in maternal anemia and fetal neural tube defects; local or systemic induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines release and oxidative stress in gastrointestinal disorders and pre-eclampsia; cross-reaction between specific anti-H. pylori antibodies and antigens localized in placental tissue and endothelial cells (pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, miscarriage). Since H. pylori infection is most likely acquired before pregnancy, it is widely believed that hormonal and immunological changes occurring during pregnancy could activate latent H. pylori with a negative impact not only on maternal health (nutritional deficiency, organ injury, death), but also on the fetus (insufficient growth, malformation, death) and sometime consequences can be observed later in life. Another important issue addressed by investigators was to determine whether it is possible to transmit H. pylori infection from mother to child and whether maternal anti-H. pylori antibodies could prevent infant’s infection. Studies on novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods for H. pylori are no less important, since these are particularly sensitive topics in pregnancy conditions. It could be interesting to study the possible correlation between H. pylori infection and other pregnancy-related diseases of unknown etiology, such as gestational diabetes mellitus, obstetric cholestasis and spontaneous preterm delivery. Since H. pylori infection is treatable, the demonstration of its causative role in pregnancy-related disorders will have important social-economic implications.

Parathyroid carcinoma in pregnancy

A 24-year-old female patient with parathyroid carcinoma,the rarest endocrine malignancy,had two pregnancies.In the first pregnancy,she had severe nausea and fatigue.Hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism were diagnosed in the postpartum period.Hyperemesis gravidarum masked a diagnosis of hypercalcemia.Neck ultrasound and Tc-99 m sestamibi found an enlarged lower right parathyroid gland.The gland was surgically removed,and an initial pathology report described atypical adenoma.Shortly afterward,she became pregnant again.During the second pregnancy,her calcium level was frequently controlled but was always in the normal range.Normocalcemia is explained by the specific physiology of pregnancy accompanied by hemodilution,hypoalbuminemia and maternal hypercalciuria(mediated by increased glomerular filtration).During lactation,calcium levels rose,and a newneck ultrasound showed a solitary mass in the area of prior surgery and an enlarged pretracheal lymph node.Fine needle aspiration of the solitary mass and node showed parathyroid carcinoma cells.The tumor mass was resected en bloc with the contiguous tissues and surrounding lymph nodes(pathology report; parathyroid carcinoma with metastases).Over the next five years,four consecutive surgeries were performed to remove malignant parathyroid tissue,lymph nodes and local metastases.Following the surgical procedures,no hypocalcemia was observed.More serious hypercalcemia recurred; the calcium level was difficult to control with a combination of pamidronate,cinacalcet and loop diuretic.No elements of multiple endocrine neoplasia were present.

Correspondence: Newer oral rehydration solution OS-1 for emesis gravidarum

Though nausea and vomiting are quite common in pregnancy, hyperemesis is found in only 1 - 2 patients per 100. Appropriate oral fluid and electrolyte replacement is the initial treatment regimen for patients with mild to moderate emesis to avoid hyperemesis gravidarum defined as dehydration, electrolyte unbalance and ketosis. A newer oral rehydration solution OS-1 therapy may be safe and feasible in the mild to moderate emesis gravidarum population. Physicians are encouraged to use this practice to maintain the amount of water in the body and electrolytes and to improve the patient’s comfort.