Capgras syndrome in postictal delirium.

A 34-year-old man with a seizure disorder had not been taking anticonvulsant medications regularly. A previous pattern of recurrent seizures resolved after restarting anticonvulsant drugs. Recent seizure episodes were followed by delirium and presentation of Capgras syndrome.

Conscious sedation: for a TEE, is it always required?

Conscious sedation is an anesthesia technique frequently used to facilitate transesophageal echocardiography, but it is not really necessary for performing routine adult cases. Children and complicated circumstances generally do warrant sedation. Using such anesthesia does increase complication rates and financial costs, therefore, omitting it should be considered when appropriate.

Do guns provide safety? At what cost?

Many people feel that having a gun provides greater safety for them and their family. Actually, having a firearm in the home escalates the risk for death or injury, while using it to shoot someone who endangers the household is much less common. The resultant injuries, deaths, emotional turmoil, and/or disabilities lead to greater utilization of health care and legal/police services.