J Emerg Med
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Group A Streptococcal (GAS) necrotizing fasciitis is a critical emergency. Patients with necrotizing fasciitis principally present to emergency departments (EDs), but most studies are focused on hospitalized patients. ⋯ A better understanding of the associated factors and initiation of adequate treatments will allow for improved survival after GAS necrotizing fasciitis.
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Review Case Reports
Pericarditis and Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Due to an Extragonadal Non-seminomatous Germ Cell Tumor: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
Chest pain is a common complaint in the Emergency Department that rarely can be attributed to anterior mediastinal masses. ⋯ Pericarditis and right ventricular outflow obstruction are potential complications of anterior mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumors.
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Review Case Reports
Management of Subcutaneous Emphysema with "Gills": Case Report and Review of the Literature.
Subcutaneous emphysema is often a symptom of a serious pathologic condition but rarely requires direct treatment. Subcutaneous emphysema itself occasionally may interfere with effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation and require direct intervention. ⋯ Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum can cause tension physiology, impairing normal cardiovascular and pulmonary function. Only with release of this tension can normal cardiopulmonary function return. The gills procedure is one of several possible therapeutic options.
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Angioedema (AE) is characterized by nonpitting edema of the dermis and subcutaneous layers. The most common sites of involvement are the tongue, lips, face, and throat; however, swelling can also occur in the extremities, genitalia, and viscera. Life-threatening airway swelling can also occur. AE may be allergic or nonallergic. The overall lifetime incidence of AE is reported to be as high as 15%. ⋯ New HAE medications that correct imbalances in the kallikrein-kinin system may prove safe and efficacious in the treatment of ACEi-AE.
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Emergency department (ED) presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) can be highly atypical and an ED visit might be the only health care interaction for high-risk patients. ⋯ Patients with atypical presentations, as well as those who were unresponsive or reported a history of homelessness and substance abuse, were at greater risk for nondiagnosis of TB during an infectious ED visit.