The American journal of emergency medicine
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Most soft tissue neck masses represent benign inflammatory or infectious processes; however, in some cases the diagnosis is not clear and a broader differential must be considered. The aim of this study was to compare point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to radiology department imaging (RDI) in the diagnosis of soft tissue neck masses. ⋯ This prospective pilot study describes the reliability of POCUS as an imaging modality in the management of patients with undifferentiated soft tissue neck masses. POCUS demonstrated good agreement with RDI as a bedside imaging tool in the evaluation of pediatric soft tissue neck masses.
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To establish a standardized approach for the rapid and accurate identification of non-traumatic, ophthalmologic pathology in patients with eye complaints in the emergency department. ⋯ This protocol can help identify patients that may need urgent ophthalmology consultation those that can follow-up on an outpatient, and those that may need additional emergent testing.
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Observational Study
Pediatric emergency medical services in privately insured patients: A 10-year national claims analysis.
To characterize pediatric Emergency Medicine Service (EMS) transports to the Emergency Department (ED) using a national claims database. ⋯ Trauma is the most frequent diagnosis for transport in children older than 5 years of age. Mental health and neurologic transports have markedly increased, while trauma transports have decreased. Most children arriving by ambulance were classified as requiring ED level of care. These changes might have significant implication for EMS personnel and policy makers.
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Infection of implanted cardiac devices (ICD) is an unusual but life threatening event, rarely caused by Haemophilus parainfluenzae. While clinical presentation varies widely, infective endocarditis (IE) involving an ICD lead requires aggressive resuscitation and a multidisciplinary approach. We present a case of a 33-year-old intravenous drug user who presented in multisystem organ failure secondary to infective endocarditis on an ICD lead. This patient had a complicated hospital course requiring removal of her ICD, highlighting the dramatic presentation of this clinical state.
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For reversal of warfarin-induced coagulopathy, FDA labeling of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) endorses a dosing strategy based on body weight and baseline INR. Recent literature suggests lower, fixed doses of 4F-PCC may be equally efficacious. The present evaluation aims to characterize the relationship between 4F-PCC dose and degree of reduction in INR. ⋯ This evaluation found no clinically relevant relationship with 4F-PCC doses and degree of INR reversal. Further prospective study is required to determine optimal dosing schemes of 4F-PCC for warfarin reversal.