ObjectivesCarbon monoxide is a potentially fatal form of poisoning. The exact incidence is unclear, due to cases being undiagnosed or reported as fewer than the real number. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is of proven efficacy in the treatment of CO intoxication.The purpose of this study was to describe the general characteristics of carbon monoxide (CO) intoxications presenting to the emergency department and to investigate troponin I values and the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in these patients.Material and methodsPatients presenting to the emergency department with CO intoxication over one year and patients with such intoxications receiving HBOT were examined retrospectively.ResultsOne hundred seventy-one patients were included; 140 (81.9%) were poisoned by stoves, 18 (10.5%) by hot water boilers and 10 in (5.8%) by fires. COHb levels were normal in 49 of the 163 patients whose values were investigated, and were elevated in 114 patients. Mean COHb value was 16.6. Troponin I values were investigated in 112 patients. These were normal in 86 patients and elevated in 26. Mean troponin I value was 0.38 ng/ml. One hundred twenty-three of the 171 patients in the study were discharged in a healthy condition after receiving normobaric oxygen therapy, while 48 patients received HBOT. Forty-two (87.5%) of the patients receiving HBOT were discharged in a healthy condition while sequelae persisted in five (10.4%). One patient died after 15 session of HBOT.ConclusionAlthough elevated carboxyhemoglobin confirms diagnosis of CO intoxication, normal levels do not exclude it. Troponin I levels may rise in CO intoxication. No significant relation was observed between carboxyhemoglobin and receipt of HBOT. A significant correlation was seen, however, between troponin I levels and receipt of HBOT.

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BackgroundThe corpus callosum is the most important pathway enabling the exchange of information between the two cerebral hemispheres. Transient splenium lesions may develop in association with various pathologies and infections. We report a case presenting to the emergency department with transient visual loss and in which a transient lesion was determined in the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC).Case reportA 24-year-old woman presented to the emergency department due to sudden onset visual loss. An area of restricted diffusion was determined in the SCC at diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. The patient was admitted to the ward with a diagnosis of SCC lesion. The lesion had resolved entirely at control MRI performed 2 weeks later.ConclusionThere may be many causes of transient SCC lesions, and patients may present with different clinical manifestations, particularly altered consciousness and rarely visual loss like our present case.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors affecting patients' satisfaction levels treated in yellow, red, and green areas who applied to the emergency department of an education and research hospital. Material and Methods: With this study, 1383 patients aged between 14 to 85 who applied to the emergency department from October 2012 to January 2013 were accepted. Multiple-choice questions were asked in terms of the factors that were affecting patient satisfaction. Results: Having compared yellow, green, and red zones, statistically significant differences have been found in the aspect of the perception of patients' social insurance, the way for applying and being accepted to the emergency department, the reason for coming to the emergency department, the staff that is first met, time between entrance and physical examination, the doctor's attitude, the waiting time for test results and treatment of the patient, and the total time spent in the emergency department (p<0.05). On the contrary, a statistically significant difference was not found between the yellow, red, and green areas patients in terms of the convenience and the adequacy of space of the emergency department, the medical care quality and the attitudes of the nurses and personnel, the state of hygiene and the medical supplies and equipment of the hospital, the quality of the observation, the adequacy of the information provided to the patient during discharge, or the satisfaction of the overall treatment that was experienced while in the emergency department (p>0.05). Conclusion: Studies related to satisfaction may offer important clues in the direction of increasing standards of quality in the emergency departments.