The American journal of emergency medicine
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Traumatic vertebral fracture accounts for 10-15% of trauma related admissions. While the correlation between lumbar vertebral fractures and abdominal injuries is well established, the relationship between thoracic vertebral fractures (TVF) and abdominal injuries is comparatively less well elucidated. Using a large national trauma database, we aimed to examine the incidence and severity of associated abdominal injuries in blunt trauma patients suffering from TVF. ⋯ Clinicians should have an elevated suspicion for intra-abdominal injuries when a thoracic spine fracture is identified, which may necessitate further evaluation.
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Septic arthritis is an important but difficult to make diagnosis that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Joint effusion is generally accepted to be a highly sensitive finding in septic arthritis; however, final diagnosis requires synovial fluid studies. Without a significant joint effusion, it is difficult to obtain synovial fluid. ⋯ Subsequent joint washout revealed purulent synovial fluid that grew out the same bacteria. This case emphasizes the importance of obtaining synovial fluid to evaluate for septic arthritis, even when joint effusion is absent. Ultrasound guidance can facilitate this.
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Some coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients develop rapidly progressive acute respiratory distress syndrome and require veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO). A previous study recommended the transfer of ECMO patients to ECMO centers. However, because of the pandemic, a limited number of ECMO centers are available for patient transfer. ⋯ He was admitted to the intensive care unit of our hospital and received tocilizumab. He was discharged on hospital day 31 with no significant sequelae. In this case report, we discuss important factors for the safe and appropriate interhospital transportation of COVID-19 patients on ECMO as well as staff and patient safety during helicopter transportation.
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Case Reports
A case of extrapleural hematoma that was not detectable on initial CT in a patient with pneumonia.
Extrapleural hematoma (EH) is an uncommon and occasionally life-threatening condition. Huge EH can cause potentially fatal respiratory and circulatory disturbances. The usual causes of EH are chest trauma, iatrogenic injury, and rupture of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. ⋯ The pathophysiology of the relationship between pneumonia and EH is unclear. This case suggests that EH cannot be ruled out by initial CT findings soon after an episode suggestive of hemorrhage and can occur as a complication of pneumonia. Therefore, patients in whom EH is suspected should be followed up closely.
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Meta Analysis
The analgesic effect of ketorolac addition for renal colic pain: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.
The effect of ketorolac addition for the pain control of renal colic remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the analgesic efficacy of ketorolac addition for renal colic. ⋯ Ketorolac addition may improve the analgesic efficacy for renal colic pain.