In conclusion, our case highlights the unusual presentation of tropical pyomyositis in a temperate environment. It is important to consider this diagnosis in immunocompromised hosts, even in those with vague complaints such as muscle pain or erythema. The patient's immunocompromised state as well as the rarity of tropical pyomyositis outside of a tropical country led to a late diagnosis. Tropical pyomyositis is a potentially life threatening disease, but if recognized and treated early, the prognosis is good.
In conclusion, we believe that the demise of the patient is due to the combination of severe emotional distress, respiratory distress with fear of impending doom, and the overuse of B2 agonists likely created an opportune environment for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. We also propose a mechanism whereby recurrences with different wall motion variants may occur during beta blocker therapy.
Mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) are common compounds found in "Bath Salts," a recreational drug which has skyrocketed in popularity, resulting in increasing annual emergency room visits across the country. As users are often young and without previous psychiatric history it is often difficult to discern if symptoms are substance induced or related to an organic disorder. Our patient was a 38-year-old woman with no history of psychosis who presented to the emergency room following two failed suicide attempts via overdose and self-mutilation. On initial examination, the patient was somnolent yet arousable and oriented. She endorsed auditory and visual hallucinations as well as paranoid delusions regarding being spied on by her son. Upon further questioning, patient admitted to use of bath salts one day prior to admission and urine toxicology was positive for phenycyclidine. She was admitted for stabilization but despite improvement in her hallucinations, her paranoia persisted. She was visited by her husband who also expressed similar paranoid delusions, raising the question as to whether her symptoms were truly substance induced or if the patient was experiencing a shared psychotic disorder with her spouse. Prior to discharge, her hallucinations and paranoia had improved with abstinence from bath salts and the initiation of olanzapine. She was able to gain some insight, recognizing the delusions were false yet her husband still continued to believe they were true. As such, we concluded that the couple's psychotic symptoms were more likely related to shared bath salts rather than shared delusions.
