The American journal of emergency medicine
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Laryngoscope blade shape may differentially facilitate first-attempt success in patients intubated in non-supine positions in the emergency department (ED). Therefore, we analyzed first-attempt success in ramped and upright positions stratified by hyperangulated or standard geometry video laryngoscopes (VL). ⋯ Hyperangulated and standard geometry VL had similar first-attempt success in ramped and upright position intubations in the ED.
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Lyme disease is the most frequently reported vector-borne illness in the United States. It is caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi via the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (Ixodes spp.) Lyme disease has three stages: early localized, early disseminated, and late. Early disseminated Lyme disease may include neurologic manifestations such as cranial nerve palsy, meningitis, and radicular pain (also called radiculoneuritis). ⋯ The symptoms resolved with oral doxycycline. Neuropathic pain should raise suspicion for neurologic manifestations of Lyme disease in North America even in the absence of meningitis and cranial nerve palsy. We report how timely recognition of this rare syndrome in North America is important and may prevent progression to late disease.
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Adult epiglottitis is a serious condition that carries with it a high rate of morbidity and even mortality due to airway occlusion. ⋯ An understanding of epiglottitis can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this potentially deadly disease.