Under Pressure - Compartment Syndrome Diagnostics

Under Pressure - Compartment Syndrome Diagnostics

Compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency that can present after a variety of insults, ranging from those we commonly encounter in the ED (fractures, crush injuries) to more rare clinical presentations (snake bites, electrocution). The initial elevation of compartment pressures can be secondary to internal (ex. bleeding, swelling, fluid overload) and/or external (ex. compressive devices, burn eschar) factors. In this post, we detail the history/physical and diagnostic evaluation of possible compartment syndrome.

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Dyspepsia in the ED

Dyspepsia in the ED

Dyspepsia and epigastric pain secondary to gastritis is a common presentation seen in the Emergency Department. Patients with dyspepsia want both quick and sustained relief of their symptoms. A thorough understanding of the evidence behind acute and long-term treatments of dyspepsia is key. In this post, Dr. Justine Milligan outlines the many treatment options available to the ED provider.

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Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place: Navigating Renal Colic Treatment

Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place: Navigating Renal Colic Treatment

Renal colic is a common presenting symptom in the ED, with an estimated prevalence as high as 10-15% in the US. (1) It accounts for approximately 1% of all ED visits per year. (27) Most patients will pass these calculi spontaneously and do not require surgical intervention, therefore focus on pain relief is of utmost importance in the emergency department. (1) NSAIDs have shown to be as effective, if not more effective than opioids, making them a reliable first line agent. (4,5) Opioids still provide a viable option in those with kidney disease or gastric ulcer disease, however they may be best utilized as combination agents to decrease the need for rescue analgesia. There is weak evidence to support the use of IV acetaminophen, with high cost burden, limiting its utility. Additional agents such as ketamine, lidocaine and magnesium carry with them limited evidence and inconsistencies in the literature, limiting their use, with further studies required. Alpha blockers seem to provide a shorter duration to expulsion, fewer pain episodes, and less hospital admissions with surgical intervention, specifically with larger stones (>5mm).

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Open Breaks - Antibiotics for Open Fractures

Open Breaks - Antibiotics for Open Fractures

Open fractures are a common pathology seen in emergency departments, especially in trauma centers. In open fractures, the skin barrier has been compromised, exposing sterile bone to the environment. Considered a true orthopedic emergency, these fractures have high morbidity due to osteomyelitis, with infection rates up to 55%. (1) Appropriate and timely intervention in the emergency department with proper antibiotic therapy, wound care, and early orthopedic surgery involvement dramatically reduces the risk of developing osteomyelitis. In this post we will discuss antibiotic recommendations for osteomyelitis prophylaxis for open fractures. Initial management of open fractures is discussed in another post.

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Open Breaks - Initial Management

Open Breaks - Initial Management

Open fractures are a common pathology seen in emergency departments, especially in trauma centers. In open fractures, the skin barrier has been compromised, exposing sterile bone to the environment. Considered a true orthopedic emergency, these fractures have high morbidity due to osteomyelitis, with infection rates up to 55%. (1) Appropriate and timely intervention in the emergency department with proper antibiotic therapy, wound care, and early orthopedic surgery involvement dramatically reduces the risk of developing osteomyelitis. In this post, we will review the management of open fractures and address additional complications from open fractures. Fractures of the axial skeleton (skull, facial bones, spine, ribs, and pelvis) will not be discussed in this post. Antibiotic recommendations for osteomyelitis prophylaxis are discussed in another post.

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Your Migraine Cocktail Didn’t Work? Shake it Up!

Your Migraine Cocktail Didn’t Work? Shake it Up!

You’ve tried prochlorperizine, ketorolac and fluids and are about to triumphantly discharge the patient when they stop you and inform you they’re still in a debilitating pain. What’s your move? Join Dr. Martina Diaz as she reviews second line and alternative therapies in the management of acute headaches.

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Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: Therapeutics

Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: Therapeutics

Nausea and vomiting, one of the most common complaints in the pregnancy patient, is a common plight of Emergency Physicians. With a barrage of social media and publication bias, we often need rock solid evidence to make anti-emetic decisions that just doesn’t exist. Join Dr. Josh Ferreri as he summarizes the latest data on conquering the queasy.

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Treatment of Anaphylaxis

Treatment of Anaphylaxis

If you are reading this, you are in one of two places right now.

You may be sitting comfortably, expanding your knowledge, curious about the latest data for anaphylaxis treatment, and preparing for the next time you may see a patient with anaphylaxis. This resource is for you.

Alternatively, you are actively treating and managing a patient with anaphylaxis, looking for an evidence-based guide to support your clinical decisions in this moment. This resource is also for you.

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Opioid Withdrawal Therapy: Autonomic Hypersensitivity Tamed

Opioid Withdrawal Therapy: Autonomic Hypersensitivity Tamed

Opioid withdrawal is a common presenting complaint in the emergency department. As opioid use disorder prevalence continues to increase, opioid withdrawal will continue to increase as well. Join Dr. Stark to review the mechanism and treatment options for Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome!

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Dental Infections: To Treat or Not to Treat?

Dental Infections: To Treat or Not to Treat?

Remember as a kid when you would come downstairs only to find your parent devouring your hard-earned Halloween candy? Consider it a favor. Though delicious, those globs of sticky sugar are a common culprit of toothaches for kids & adults alike, as well as headaches for emergency room providers. Whether in the emergency department itself, or while being cornered by a neighbor as you head out your front door, we are commonly confronted by someone holding the side of their face in agony, slowly mumbling ‘can you help me doc?’, as they wince in pain in between each word. Though our medical curriculum may not have prepared us for these moments, medicine is all about lifelong learning, so it is up to us to fill the knowledge gaps about those 32 pearly whites that are often the cause of much trouble.

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A Fix for a Stinging Heart - Pericarditis Treatment in the ED

A Fix for a Stinging Heart - Pericarditis Treatment in the ED

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardial sac. Classically, pericarditis presents with sharp and pleuritic chest pain which is relieved by sitting up and forward. Pericarditis has multiple etiologies, but is most commonly idiopathic, assumed to be viral, in developed countries (1). Treatment of pericarditis should be targeted to the underlying etiology if possible (1). For presumed viral, idiopathic causes, most patients are treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine (1).

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Back to Basics: Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain in the ED

Back to Basics: Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain in the ED

How do you treat acute low back pain that comes into the ED. Do you have a ‘cocktail’? Do you have any injections / stretching that you recommend? Is there data behind any of that?? Join Dr. Gillespie on an evidence-based look at the therapeutics of low back pain in the ED.

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Swelling out of the Blue - Angioedema in the ED

Swelling out of the Blue - Angioedema in the ED

Angioedema is like urticaria in that both are transient swelling of well-demarcated areas. However, angioedema involves swelling of deeper tissues, producing nonpitting edema of the dermis and subcutaneous layers. It is most often seen in the eyelids and lips, and sometimes in the mouth and throat. While it is not pruritic it may be painful. In the US, angioedema accounts for approximately 100,000 ER visits annually (1). Across the world, 35% of prescriptions written for hypertension are for ACE-inhibitors (>40 million people). With a reported incidence of angioedema in 0.1–0.7% of those patients on ACEI, there are approximately 40,000 cases of ACEI-associated angioedema worldwide annually (2).

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