Articles by Timothy Erickson, MD

Current CME

Mistletoe: Yuletide Aphrodisiac or Deadly Poison?

by Timothy Erickson, MD on December 20, 2012

A 2-year-old child is brought to the ED on a cold December evening by frantic parents one hour after swallowing several mistletoe berries at home. The parents had placed the mistletoe plant over the door entryway secured by a piece of scotch tape. During a large family holiday gathering, the mistletoe fell to the floor causing the curious toddler to ingest several of the scattered berries.

CME Archive

My Poisonous Valentine

by Timothy Erickson, MD on February 10, 2012

The patient is a 51-year-old male who presents to the ED with a complaint of severe abdominal pain and cramping of 8 hours duration associated with diaphoresis, low-grade fevers, and anorexia. According to the patient, his symptoms began approximately 1 hour after suffering a scrotal bite from “some insect” while trying on a pair of boxer shorts his wife had just given him for Valentine’s Day.

Toxicology

“Bath Salt” Abuse Hits Epidemic Proportions

by Timothy Erickson, MD on April 13, 2011

alt The patient is a 27-year-old stock exchange worker who presents to the ED with a complaint of anxiety, chest pain, sweating, palpitations and a feeling of “paranoia and impending doom” following the recreational ingestion of “bath salts” two hours prior at a company party.

Toxicology

Holiday Tox Test: Is the Poinsettia Poisonous?

by Timothy Erickson, MD on December 7, 2010

alt Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the red green poinsettia (or Christmas Star), was first introduced to the US in the 1800s. The plant’s reputation for toxicity stemmed from a single unconfirmed case fatality of a 2-year-old child in the early 1900s.

CME Archive

Vampires & Werewolves in the ED?

by Timothy Erickson, MD on October 20, 2010

The patient is a 46-year-old male who presents to the ED at night with agitation and delusional episodes lasting several hours. During these episodes, he has sensations of hair growth on his face, trunk, and arms. Occasionally, he becomes convinced that the hair growth is real. He thinks these changes will make him appear to be a wolf, and avoids seeing his face or body whenever possible.

Toxicology

Name That Toxin

by Timothy Erickson, MD on July 16, 2010

alt The patient is a 21-year-old male who presents to your ED with vomiting and dizziness after drinking homemade tea made with leaves and flowers from the plant pictured.

Toxicology

Name That Toxin

by Timothy Erickson, MD on March 8, 2010

CME Archive

Recognizing Common Hallucinogens

by Timothy Erickson, MD on December 3, 2009

A 22-year-old male is brought to a stadium first aid station after being found running around naked at a Grateful Dead concert. He was noted to be agitated, paranoid, and visually hallucinating requiring full leather restraints. Friends of the patient claimed he ingested several “magic shrooms and blotter acid” prior to the concert. Read more

CME Archive

Methamphetamine Abuse in the ED

by Timothy Erickson, MD on September 29, 2009

During the 1960s why were amphetamines or “Speed” also referred to as “Crank”?

Answer: Drug dealers and users belonging to the group Hell’s Angels would smuggle and conceal amphetamines in the crankshafts of their motorcycles during transport when riding cross country.

CME Archive

Packers and Stuffers: Contraband in the ED

by Timothy Erickson, MD on July 7, 2009

Trivia question #1: What is the latest mode of transportation for the illegal smuggling of large amounts of cocaine?
Answer: Privately-owned submarines. Five tons of cocaine worth over 350 million dollars was discovered in a submarine off the Guatemala coast in 2008.

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