Category: Neurology
Keywords: pituitary apoplexy, subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningitis, headache, CT, MRI (PubMed Search)
Posted: 8/9/2017 by Danya Khoujah, MBBS
(Updated: 11/13/2024)
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Bottomline: Keep pituitary apoplexy in your differential when considering SAH or meningitis, especially in the presence of risk factors, and have a low threshold to order an MRI.
Category: Gastrointestional
Keywords: Gastroparesis, haloperidol (PubMed Search)
Posted: 8/5/2017 by Ashley Martinelli
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Take Home Point: In patients with diabetic gastroparesis, haloperidol may be an effective adjunctive treatment to prevent hospitalizations and reduce opioid requirements.
In Depth:
Study Design: single-center, retrospective review, case-matched to prior visit for gastroparesis
Patients:
52 patients with previously diagnosed diabetic gastroparesis by gastric motility study who presented to the ED for gastroparesis treatment
Groups:
Haloperidol administered visit
Haloperidol NOT administered visit (most recent visit, >7 days prior to haloperidol visit)
Results:
Baseline characteristics: median age 32 (21-57), 62% (32/52) female
Statistically significant reduction in hospital admissions for the haloperidol visit: (5/52 [10%] [CI 3-21%]) vs the non-haloperidol visit (14/52 [27%] [CI 16-41%]) p=0.02
Statistically significant reduction in opioid administration during the haloperidol visit: 6.75 ME (IQR 7.93) vs 10.75 ME (IQR 12) p=0.009
No difference in ED LOS, hospital LOS or need for additional antiemetics/prokinetics
No dystonic reactions, akathesia, excessive sedation, or cardiovascular complications in patients who received haloperidol
Limitations:
Small, single-center, retrospective study that only included patients with diabetic gastroparesis
Only intramuscular administration was studied
Baseline QT not reported
Young patient population, no description of comorbidities or home medications
Conclusions:
Haloperidol may be considered as an adjunctive therapy in patients with diabetic gastroparesis for its antiemetic and analgesic properties. Prospective studies are necessary to confirm findings.
Ramirez R, Salcup P, Croft B, Darracq MA. Am J Emerg Med 2017;35:1118-1120.
Category: International EM
Keywords: Mental health, routine laboratory test, acute psychiatric patient (PubMed Search)
Posted: 8/2/2017 by Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD
Click here to contact Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD
Patients with psychiatric disorders are found globally, with a recent global burden of disease estimate that mental illness accounted for 32.4% of years lived with disability and 13.0% of disability-adjusted life-years.
The American College of Emergency Physicians just published a methodological rigorous clinical policy entitled “Critical Issues in the Diagnosis and Management of the Adult Psychiatric Patient in the Emergency Department.”
One question they sought to answer was “In the alert adult patient presenting to the ED with acute psychiatric symptoms, should routine laboratory tests be used to identify contributory medical conditions (nonpsychiatric disorders)?”
Their assessment was: “Do not routinely order laboratory testing on patients with acute psychiatric symptoms. Use medical history, previous psychiatric diagnoses, and physician examination to guide testing.” This was a Level C recommendation, based upon the quality of the research.
Bottom Line: Current literature does not support routinely ordering laboratory testing on patients with acute psychiatric symptoms. However, the quality of the evidence was not strong and local clinical context should be considered.
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(15)00505-2/abstractege of
http://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(17)30070-7/fulltext
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: RV dysfunction, APRV, echo, ultrasound (PubMed Search)
Posted: 8/1/2017 by Daniel Haase, MD
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--RV systolic function is negatively affected by high RV afterload
--High mean airway pressures on the ventilator (particularly in modes such as APRV [airway pressure release ventilation]) can induce RV dysfunction
*****CLICK BELOW FOR A GREAT CASE!!!*****
A 25yoF with ARDS is on APRV (36/0 and 5/0.5). She is on norepi to maintain a MAP >65. A bedside echo reveals a dilated, dysfunctional RV.
--Open "A4C end diastole"
Measurement of TAPSE confirms the RV dysfunction, but also reveals the cause.
--Open "TAPSE"
Every 5th beat, the TAPSE significantly improves to "normal" range. The four beats inbetween are abnormal. The 5th normal beat coincides with the APRV relase, when airway pressures are zero! Thus, this change in RV function is from the ventilator alone. The TAPSE decreases by almost 40%!
--Open "TAPSE measured"
Be careful with high mean airway pressures in patients with known or suspected RV dysfunction. This is why we try to avoid intubation in HD significant pulmonary embolism!
Category: Pediatrics
Posted: 7/29/2017 by Mimi Lu, MD
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The answer appears to be ... it depends.
Early Oseltamivir Treatment in Influenza in Children1-3 Years of Age: A Randomized Controlled Trial
A study in 2010 out of Finland by Heinonen, et al showed that if given in the first 12 hours of symptom onset to otherwise healthy pediatric patients between the age of 1-3 years:
- decrease incidence of acute otitis media by 85%
- no difference if given within 24 hours
Among children with influenza A, oseltamivir started within 24 hours of symptom onset
- shortened medium time to resolution of illness by 3.5 days (3.0 versus 6.5) in all children
- shortened median time to resolution of illness by 4.0 days in UNvaccinated children
- Reduced parental work absenteeism by 3 days
* no differences were seen in children with influenza B *
Limitations***
- Single Center study in Finland
- The authors received support from the drug manufacturer
- The sample size of children with confirmed influenza cases with small (influenza A: 79, influenza B: 19)
Takeaway:
If you have a patient between the age of 1-3 years with very early symptoms concerning for flu, a positive rapid influenza A test could allow you to cut her symptoms by 3 days, prevent complications, and allow parents to go back to work sooner.
Heinonen S, Silvennoinen H, Lehtinen et al. Early oseltamivir treatment of influenza in children 1-3 years of age: A randomized controlled trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2010;51(8):87-94.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: salicylate poisoning, endotracheal intubation, hemodialysis (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/27/2017 by Hong Kim, MD
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Patients with severe salicylate poisoning may require endotracheal intubation due to fatigue from hyperventilation or mental status change.
A previously published study (Stolbach et al. 2008) showed that mechanical ventilation increases the risk of acidemia and clinical deterioration.
A small retrospective study investigated the impact of hemodialysis (HD) in intubated patients with salicylate poisoning.
Findings:
53 cases with overall survival rate of 73.2%
In patients with salicylate level > 50 mg/dL
If salicylate level > 80 mg/dL
Bottom Line:
There is moratality benefit of HD in intubated salicylate-poisoned patient.
McCabe DJ, Lu JJ. The association of hemodialysis and survival in intuated salicylate-poisoned patients. Amer J Emerg Med 2017;35:899-903.
Stolbach QI, Hoffman RS, Nelson LS. Mechanical ventilation was associated with acidemia in a case series of salicylate-poisoned patients. Acad Emerge Med 2008;15;866-869.
Category: Critical Care
Posted: 7/25/2017 by Mike Winters, MBA, MD
(Updated: 11/13/2024)
Click here to contact Mike Winters, MBA, MD
Improving Resuscitation Performance
Lauria M, et al. Psychological skills to improve emergency care providers' performance under stress. Ann Emerg Med. 2017; epub ahead of print.
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Knee instability (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/23/2017 by Brian Corwell, MD
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PCL injuries can sometimes have involvement of the posterolateral corner (PLC)
The dial test can be used to diagnose posterior lateral instability and help differentiate it from isolated PCL injuries
The dial test involves comparing the amount of external rotation of the lower leg at the knee while the knees are in 30° and in 90° of knee flexion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnk62Y-nDSQ
An isolated injury to the posterolateral corner will result in more than 10° of external rotation in the injured knee that is present at 30° but not at 90° of knee flexion.
http://www.kneejointsurgery.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DIAL-TEST.jpg
http://www.kneejointsurgery.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DIAL-TEST-90.jpg
http://www.kneejointsurgery.com/ligament-injuries/posterolateral-corner/
Category: Pediatrics
Keywords: CT scans, radiation exposure, pediatrics (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/21/2017 by Jenny Guyther, MD
(Updated: 11/13/2024)
Click here to contact Jenny Guyther, MD
Ventricular shunt (VP) malfunction can be severe and life-threatening and evaluation has typically included a dry CT brain and a shunt series which includes multiple x-rays of the skull, neck, chest and abdomen. The goal of this study was to decrease the amount of radiation used in the evaluation of these patients since these patients will likely present many times over their lifetime. Several institutions have more towards a rapid cranial MRI, however, this modality may not be readily available.
This multidisciplinary team decreased the CT scan radiation dose from 250mA (the reference mA in the pediatric protocol at this institution) to 150 mA which allows for a balance between reducing radiation exposure and adequate visualization of the ventricular system. They also added single view chest and abdominal x-rays.
The authors found that after implementing this new protocol, there was a reduction in CT radiation doses and number of x-rays ordered with no change in the return rate.
Marchese et al. Reduced Radiation in children presenting to the ED with Suspected Ventricular Shunt Complication. Pediatrics. 2017; 139 (5).
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Vaginal pearls, intravaginal foreign bodies (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/20/2017 by Kathy Prybys, MD
(Updated: 7/21/2017)
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, MD
Vaginal douching is a common and potentially dangerous practice. Women engage in this practice predominately for personal hygiene reasons but also with the false belief it will prevent or treat infections and for contraception. Numerous public health agencies and medical societies discourage douching as it has been associated with many adverse outcomes including pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial vaginosis, cervical cancer, low birth weight, preterm birth, human immunodeficiency virus transmission, sexually transmitted diseases, ectopic pregnancy, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, and infertility.
An increasing fad is the use of intravaginal detox products. Claiming to enhance female health by removing toxins, these mesh cloth-covered balls containing herbs such as mothersworth, osthol, angelica, borneol, and rhizoma, not FDA-approved, are inserted into the vagina for 3 days. Clinical experience demonstrates these products decompose into numerous pieces which become scattered retained intravaginal foreign bodies, cause mucosal irritation, and thereotically could serve as a nidus for serious infections.
Category: Critical Care
Keywords: Resuscitation, CPR, family, policy (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/17/2017 by Kami Windsor, MD
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When surveyed, half of general medicine patients interviewed stated that they would prefer to have a loved one present if they were to develop cardiac arrest and require CPR. So far, studies have demonstrated that…
Allowing family presence during CPR is associated with the following benefits to family members:
And is NOT associated with a difference in:
Several studies have demonstrated benefits to patient family members who are offered the opportunity to witness ongoing CPR when their loved one develops cardiac arrest. These benefits--decreased rates of PTSD-related symptoms, anxiety, depression (including need for medication, professional treatment, and suicide attempts), and complicated grief--have been shown to persist at 1 year post-resuscitation event.
Themes that arise when discussing the resuscitations with family members afterward include:
1. The feeling of active involvement in the resuscitation process
2. Communication with the resuscitation team
3. Perception of the reality of death
4. Experience of and reaction to witnessing (or not witnessing) the resuscitation
Twelve percent of family members who chose to NOT be present during CPR expressed regret at their choice, versus three percent of relatives who chose to be present.
Negative outcomes cited by family members who witnessed CPR involved feeling like they were not being communicated with, or that their loved one was being over-zealously resuscitated.
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: nursemaid, elbow (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/15/2017 by Michael Bond, MD
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Take Home Points:
The Hyperpronation Method: This reduction technique for a nursemaid's elbow (radial head subluxation) has been found to have better first attempt success than classic supination/flexion technique and less painful. (Pediatrics July '98).
Click here to see a video of the technique https://youtu.be/-0ROu4hCXwQ?t=1m15s
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: hydrogen peroxide (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/13/2017 by Hong Kim, MD
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Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a common household liquid that is used for wound irrigation/antiseptic and cosmetic purposes. The concentration of household product is 3% to 5% and is considered to be relatively safe except in large volume ingestion.
High-concentration H2O2 (>10%) is commercially available as “food grade” (35%) that is diluted for household use or for alternative medicine therapy (i.e. hyperoxygenation).
Ingestion of high-concentration of H2O2 can result in caustic injury as well as ischemic injury from gas embolism.
Ingestion of 1 mL of 3% H2O2 produces 10 mL of O2 gas while 1 mL of 35% H2O2 produces 115 mL of O2 gas.
Common symptoms/findings of H2O2 ingestions includes:
A retrospective review of >10% H2O2 ingestion from National Poison Data System showed:
Management
Hatten BW et al. Outcomes after high-concentration peroxide ingestions. Ann Emerg Med. 2017;69:726-736.
Category: Neurology
Keywords: Terson syndrome, vitreous hemorrhage, intraocular hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/12/2017 by WanTsu Wendy Chang, MD
Click here to contact WanTsu Wendy Chang, MD
50 YOF with acute onset of worst headache of life associated with nausea and vomiting. Patient is somnolent, will rouse to noxious stimuli and complains of a headache as well as decreased vision.
Image courtesy of Dr. Nasir Siddiqui, Radiopaedia.org. From the case rID: 36469
Follow me on Twitter @EM_NCC
Category: Orthopedics
Keywords: Hip, pediatrics, arthritis (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/9/2017 by Brian Corwell, MD
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Idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Children as young as 2 or as old as 12 but generally 4 to 8 (worse in older children)
Fare better than adults with osteonecrosis of femoral head
1 in 10,000
4-5x more common in males, much less common ini African Americans
Unilateral femoral head involvement 90% of the time (Bilateral 10% of the time)
Long term consequences are deformity and arthritis
Typical presentation: Subacute limping for weeks (Painless)
As activity worsens limp, it is maximal at the end of the day (Intermittent)
As in adults with hip pathology, IF pain is reported, it is located at the upper anterior thigh and groin
On examination, look for restriction in range of motion of the hip (compare with contralateral side)
May only present with mild to moderate decreased range of motion of the hip
30 versus 60 degrees for example
ABduct both legs with pelvis in neutral OR Place one hand on contralateral pelvis and ABduct affected leg with other hand.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Antidepressants (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/7/2017 by Kathy Prybys, MD
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, MD
Category: International EM
Keywords: Cholera, conflict, children (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/5/2017 by Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD
(Updated: 11/13/2024)
Click here to contact Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD
Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated.
Rising cholera, diarrhea and malnutrition is a deadly combination in war torn countries, such as Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and Sudan, especially for children.
Yemen currently has the worst outbreak globally, with over 260,000 suspected cases and over 1,600 deaths. In Yemen:
o Half the suspected cases are children
o A quarter of the deaths are among children
Bottom Line:
Cholera remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, especially in areas of conflict.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs107/en/
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=57114#.WV2aQ9Pyu9Y
Category: Geriatrics
Keywords: abuse, marks, interview (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/3/2017 by Danya Khoujah, MBBS
Click here to contact Danya Khoujah, MBBS
When you are working up an elderly patient for trauma look for patterns such as circumferential bruising on the wrists that have the pattern of fingers the same way you would look at the injuries of a child. Remember that the person who is sitting next to them is frequently the person that is abusing them. Therefore, it is important to interview the patient alone.
Lachs MS, Pillemer KA. Elder Abuse. N Engl J Med 2015; 373:1947-1956
Category: Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Keywords: Levofloxacin, duration, dose, CAP, pneumonia (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/1/2017 by Jill Logan
(Updated: 11/13/2024)
Click here to contact Jill Logan
When you look up dosing for levofloxacin for community acquired pneumonia (CAP), you will find that both of the following options are approved:
This is based on a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active treatment trial comparing these two regimens in CAP (mild to severe). This non-inferiority trial shows that the 750 mg dose of levofloxacin for 5 days is "at least as effective and well tolerated" as the 500 mg dose of levofloxacin for 10 days.
So why should you choose the 750 mg daily x 5 day regimen?
As alway with levofloxacin, don't forget to renally dose adjust subsequent doses when writting a script or scheduled inpatient order for patients with reduced creatinine clearance!
Dunbar LM, Wunderink RG, Habib MP, et al. High-dose, short-course levofloxacin for community-acquired pneumonia: A new treatment paradigm. Clin Infect Dis. 2003;37:752-60.
Category: Toxicology
Keywords: Lactrodectus (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/29/2017 by Kathy Prybys, MD
(Updated: 6/30/2017)
Click here to contact Kathy Prybys, MD
Black widow spiders belong to the genus Latro dectus which include 31 species of widow spiders found throughout world. Approximately 1500-2500 black widow bites are reported to American poison control centers annually. A black widow can be identified by their hourglass pattern (red or orange) on the ventral aspect of their shiny globular abdomen. Fortunately, envenomation is rare but when it does occur it causes severe pain, muscle cramping, abdominal (may mimic acute abdomen) often refractory to traditional analgesics and antivenom (Antivenin Latrodectus mactans) is available and effective . Alpha-latrotoxin is the potent toxin causing presynaptic cation channels to open (calcium) and release of neurotransmitters such acetycholine. The neurological signs and symptoms caused by predominantly autonomic and include tachycardia and hypertension. The antivenom is equine based and infused over 20-30 minutes with pain relief in 20 minutes.
Neurotoxic manifestations of black widow spider envenomation in pediatric patients. Sotelo-Cruz N, Gómez-Rivera N. Neurologia. 2016 May;31(4):215-22.
The Black Widow spider bite: differential, clinical manifestations, and treatment options. Shackleford R, Veillon D, Maxwell N, LaChance L, Jusino T, Cotelingam J, Carrington P. J La State Med Soc. 2015 Mar-Apr;167(2):74-8.