The American journal of emergency medicine
-
Thus far, only a few spine fracture cases related to severe nocturnal hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes patients have been reported. Due to the relatively young age of these subjects, osteoporosis was not taken into consideration and bone mineral density was not assessed. We report three type 1 diabetes cases in young patients with durations of 2, 4, and 19 years. ⋯ For the first time, it was demonstrated that low bone mineral density in young type 1 diabetes patients may contribute to an increased compression fracture risk of the dorsal spine during severe nocturnal hypoglycemia courses. The possibility of osteoporosis in young patients with short diabetes durations suggests it might be advisable to perform bone mineral density testing during diabetes diagnoses. Spinal pain occurrences in young patients after severe nocturnal hypoglycemia should be investigated using procedures for the diagnosis of vertebral compression fracture, even if there is no evident trauma.
-
Lung ultrasound has emerged as a rapid and accurate screening tool for pneumothorax. The lung point sign, a sonographic representation of the point on the chest wall where the pleural layers re-adhere, is 100% specific to confirm the diagnosis. Double lung point sign for a single pneumothorax is extremely unusual and has only been reported twice in the literature. ⋯ Chest computed tomography was notable for an anterior left pneumothorax with underlying pulmonary contusion. Bedside ultrasound of this region revealed a double lung point sign. Our case report is the first to confirm association of the double lung point sign with a single pneumothorax on corresponding computed tomographic imaging.
-
Case Reports
Isolated rotational nystagmus may be the only clue to the early diagnosis of dorsolateral medullary infarction.
The medulla contains complex nervous structures related to motor, sensory, coordination, and visceral autonomic functions. The medullary infarctions cause various symptoms and signs depending on the location of the lesion. Lateral medullary infarction is caused by a vascular event in the territory of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery or the vertebral artery. ⋯ The infarct appears bright on diffusion-weighted images (Fig.). A diagnosis of dorsolateral medulla infarction was established, and the patient was started on a therapy of 100 mg aspirin once daily. After standard therapies, the patient's recovery was uneventful.
-
Case Reports
Diagnosis of metacarpal fracture with equivocal x-ray by point-of-care ultrasound: a case report.
Metacarpal fractures represent a very common injury among patients presenting to the emergency department. Diagnosis is of utmost importance given the high morbidity associated with lack of full hand function. We report a case of a 37-year-old man who sustained extremity trauma after a mechanical fall. ⋯ X-ray of the hand was equivocal for a metacarpal fracture; however, point-of-care ultrasound revealed disruption of the bony cortex confirming the diagnosis. The patient was splinted and referred for follow-up with a hand specialist. Point-of-care ultrasound may be useful for the diagnosis of hand fractures, which may reduce health care costs and radiation exposure in the future.
-
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is serious medical condition, which might be caused by psychotropic medications. Previously, antipsychotic-induced VTE due to olanzapine, risperidone, clozapine, and amisulpiride was reported. In this report, we present 2 cases of paliperidone-induced VTE.