Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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The incidence of wound botulism is increasing and the epidemiology of the disease is changing. The majority of new cases are associated with injection drug use, in particular, the use of Mexican black tar heroin. This case report and discussion of wound botulism illustrate the following important points: Dysphagia, dysphonia, diplopia, and descending paralysis, in association with injection drug use, should alert the treating physician to the possibility of wound botulism. ⋯ For the reported patient, maximum inspiratory force measurements were the only reliable indicator of respiratory muscle weakness. This is a measurement not routinely performed in the ED, but may prove essential for patients with suspected wound botulism. To minimize the effect of the botulinum toxin and to decrease length of hospital stay, antitoxin administration and surgical wound debridement should be performed early.
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To evaluate the predictive value of standard letters of recommendation (LORs) vs preprinted questionnaires (PPQs) for resident performance at one emergency medicine (EM) residency program. ⋯ PPQs may substitute for LORs in the evaluation of resident applicants.