J Emerg Med
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Case Reports
Comminuted fracture of the ulnar sesamoid of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb: an uncommon injury.
Fracture of the ulnar sesamoid of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb is rare. Injury may be caused as a result of hyperextension or, less frequently, direct trauma. A sesamoid may be incompletely ossified, making it difficult to diagnose the fracture on radiographs. ⋯ The case of a 26-year-old man who sustained a hyperextension injury of the thumb is presented. Radiographs demonstrated a fracture of the ulnar sesamoid of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. The literature regarding this uncommon injury is discussed.
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Intussusception is a rare cause of abdominal pain in adults. It occurs in fewer than 1% of all cases of adult small bowel obstruction. In the adult population, most cases are the result of some type of intestinal lesion like adhesions, melanomas, lipomas or adenomatous polyps. ⋯ Both patients complained of nonspecific abdominal pain and nausea and were diagnosed with intussusception by computed tomography (CT) scan. In both cases, no underlying bowel abnormality was identified and neither required a bowel resection. This report discusses the common presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of adult intussusception and questions whether patients with transient intussusceptions require exploratory laparotomy.
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Clostridial myonecrosis (CM) is a rare, life-threatening infection that is most often associated with recent surgery or skeletal muscle trauma. It usually affects patients with some degree of underlying immunocompromise or vascular insufficiency. Occasionally, CM can occur at remote sites, with seeding from a gastrointestinal source in the setting of malignancy. ⋯ On autopsy, this patient was found to have previously undiagnosed radiation colitis with ulcerations and abscess formation, secondary to recent prostate cancer radiation therapy. Although several case reports discuss CM in the setting of bowel malignancy, our case illustrates that non-malignant bowel inflammation may be a sufficient source for the infection. Clinical features of this uncommon disease are discussed, and the relevant literature is reviewed with regard to Clostridium septicum as an etiologic agent.
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Baclofen (Lioresal) is a drug of choice to treat spasticity and is increasingly being administered intrathecally via an implantable pump in cases refractory to oral therapy. Emergency physicians will likely treat patients with baclofen withdrawal or overdose as this treatment becomes more widespread. ⋯ Baclofen withdrawal may mimic other diseases including sepsis, meningitis, autonomic dysreflexia, malignant hyperthermia, or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Treatment consists of supportive care, reinstitution of baclofen, benzodiazepines, and diagnosis and eventual repair of intrathecal pump and catheter malfunction.
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Our objectives were to evaluate the frequency of beta-blocker administration in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) where angioplasty is the primary treatment, and to investigate emergency physician's (EPs) attitudes toward beta-blockers. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who presented with symptoms and electrocardiogram (EKG) criteria consistent with AMI in the defined study period. Charts were reviewed for beta-blocker administration and other treatments. ⋯ Bradycardia was the most frequent reason for withholding beta-blockers. In this series of patients presenting with AMI, beta-blockers were greatly underutilized. The self-reported reasons of EPs for withholding beta-blocker therapy did not explain why 72% (49/68) of patients without contraindications did not receive beta-blockers.