The American journal of emergency medicine
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Agitation has significant consequences for patients and staff. When verbal techniques fail, expert guidelines recommend the use of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). Perhaps out of familiarity with haloperidol and benzodiazepines, emergency department (ED) clinicians often pair SGAs with benzodiazepines as well. Use of SGAs such as olanzapine in alcohol-intoxicated (ETOH+) patients or with benzodiazepines is not well studied and may be associated with vital sign abnormalities. ⋯ Oral olanzapine was not associated with significant vital sign changes in ED patients. Intramuscular olanzapine also was not associated with vital sign changes in ETOH- patients. In ETOH+ patients, i.m. olanzapine was associated with significant oxygen desaturations. In ETOH+ ED patients, oral olanzapine (with or without benzodiazepines) or haloperidol may be safer choices. ETOH+ patients may have differential effects with the use of i.m. SGAs such as olanzapine and should be studied separately in drug trials.
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Case Reports
The ultrasound-guided superficial cervical plexus block for anesthesia and analgesia in emergency care settings.
The ultrasound-guided superficial cervical plexus (SCP) block may be useful for providers in emergency care settings who care for patients with injuries to the ear, neck, and clavicular region, including clavicle fractures and acromioclavicular dislocations. The SCP originates from the anterior rami of the C1-C4 spinal nerves and gives rise to 4 terminal branches--greater auricular, lesser occipital, transverse cervical, and suprascapular nerves--that provide sensory innervation to the skin and superficial structures of the anterolateral neck and sections of the ear and shoulder. ⋯ We present the first case description of its successful use to manage pain for a patient with an acute clavicle fracture. This case is presented to highlight one of several potential applications of this promising new technique in the emergency department.
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In pediatric ankle injury, radiography is the current standard used to differentiate fracture from ligamentous injury; however, the associated cost, increased time, and radiation exposure pose a significant downside to this imaging modality. Point-of-care ultrasound may be an attractive alternative in this setting, as illustrated by this patient case. ⋯ The results of a formal radiograph confirmed this diagnosis. This case report presents the successful use of point-of-care ultrasound for detection of a Salter-Harris I ankle fracture, describes a stepwise approach for this new diagnostic technique in detail, and discusses its value in the setting of pediatric ankle injury.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of conservative management and laparotomy in the management of stable patients with abdominal stab wound.
The management of the hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating abdominal stab wounds is a problematic issue among trauma surgeons. ⋯ Our study showed that conservative management of asymptomatic and stable patients with anterior abdominal stab wound with physical examination can decrease the rate of normal laparotomy and the length of hospitalization and help to start diet earlier. This study made this hypothesis that after 17 hours of observation, diet can be started for the stable asymptomatic patients.
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Ketamine is widely used for procedural sedation, but there is limited knowledge on whether ketamine use is associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). ⋯ At dosages of 4 mg/kg or less, there are not clinically meaningful associations of ketamine with elevation of IOP.