J Emerg Med
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Pressure immobilization bandages have been shown to delay onset of systemic toxicity after Eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) envenomation to the distal extremity. ⋯ The LoCC device used in this study delayed the onset of systemic toxicity and significantly increased survival time after artificial truncal envenomation by Eastern coral snake venom.
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Acute appendicitis is the most common acute surgical condition in children. Parasitic infestations are ubiquitous on a worldwide basis and are seen in the United States because of increasing international travel and emigration from developing countries. These infestations may produce symptoms of acute appendicitis, although the role of parasitic infestation in relation to appendicitis is controversial. ⋯ We report a patient with symptoms of acute appendicitis in whom intramural parasites were found during laparoscopic surgery. Histology of the appendix specimen revealed a normal appendix. The pertinent literature is also reviewed.
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Rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm during pregnancy is a rare and serious event, occurring mainly during the third trimester. The risk of rupture for an existing splenic artery aneurysm is very high during pregnancy (from 20% to 50%). When it does rupture, the maternal mortality rate is around 75% and the fetal mortality rate 95%. Of 110 cases reported in the literature, only one ruptured during the first trimester. ⋯ We report this case to increase awareness of splenic artery rupture during pregnancy, even during the first trimester.
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Trauma patients consume many resources in the emergency department (ED), but what effect their care may have upon other patients seeking care is unclear. ⋯ In the setting studied, the arrival of a trauma patient delayed physician evaluation and diagnostic testing. It only modestly increased the ED LOS for patients needing hospital admission.