J Emerg Med
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Pellagra, which is caused by a deficiency of niacin and tryptophan, the precursor of niacin, is a rare disease in developed countries where alcoholism is a major risk factor due to malnutrition and lack of B vitamins. Although pellagra involves treatable dementia and psychosis, it is often underdiagnosed, especially in developed countries. ⋯ In Japan, a 37-year-old man presented to the emergency department with altered mental status and seizures. Wernicke encephalopathy and alcohol withdrawal were suspected. The patient was treated with multivitamins, which did not include nicotinic acid amide, and oral diazepam. Despite medical treatment, his cognitive impairment progressively worsened, and eventually, pellagra was suspected. His response to treatment with nicotinic acid amide was substantial, and he was discharged without any long-term sequelae. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Despite the treatable dementia and psychosis, pellagra is often underdiagnosed, especially in developed countries and alcoholic patients. Pellagra should be routinely suspected in alcoholic patients because the response to appropriate treatment is typically dramatic.
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Case Reports
Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma in a Patient on Rivaroxaban: Case Report and Literature Review.
Spinal hematomas (SHs) are rare yet potentially debilitating causes of acute back pain. Although spontaneous SHs have been described in the setting of anticoagulation with warfarin or enoxaparin, few cases of spontaneous SH on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been reported. ⋯ We report a case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in a patient on rivaroxaban. A 72-year-old man on rivaroxaban and aspirin presented with a 4-day history of nontraumatic back pain. In the emergency department he developed lower-extremity weakness and numbness, followed by urinary incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed spinal epidural hematoma at T11-L2. The patient underwent emergent decompression and hematoma evacuation and was discharged home 8 days later with complete resolution of symptoms. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Early recognition and surgical intervention for SHs with neurologic compromise is key to favorable outcome. Optimal timing of surgery in patients on DOACs requires an assessment of the risk of intraoperative or postoperative bleeding, an assessment of the patient's symptom progression, as well as an understanding of the pharmacokinetics of the DOAC used and possible reversal options available. We also review all published cases of spontaneous SHs in patients on DOACs and report on their management and outcomes.
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There is a wide variation in practice patterns among emergency medicine physicians; many factors weigh into the medical decision-making process including the health of the patient as well as short-term risk to the physician. ⋯ A test/intervention should be done if the risk of a missed diagnosis or adverse outcome is greater that the risk of the test/intervention. Involving the patient in the decision-making process may help to shift the management balance from the physician's short-term concern of their own risk, to the patient's long-term health.
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Injured older adults often receive delayed care in the emergency department (ED) because they do not meet criteria for trauma team activation (TTA). This is particularly dangerous for the increasing number of patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet (AC/AP) medication at the time of injury. ⋯ Criteria that escalated the trauma response for A55 patients led to reductions in undertriage for anticoagulated older adults, as well as more timely mobilization of important clinical resources.
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Achondroplastic dwarfism is associated with anatomic abnormalities that can predispose to occult injury and challenges in trauma management. Airway anatomy is problematic due to macrocephaly, midface hypoplasia, and a narrow nasopharynx. Manipulation of the neck is very dangerous due to the high likelihood of preexisting cervicomedullary stenosis. Restrictive lung disease and obstructive sleep apnea may complicate respiratory status. Peripheral and central venous access can be difficult to obtain. Orthopedic and metabolic comorbidities can lead to a prolonged hospital course. ⋯ A 17-year-old male patient with achondroplasia presented to the Emergency Department after a high-speed motor vehicle collision. Despite a negative computed tomography scan of the cervical spine and absence of neck pain, a magnetic resonance imaging evaluation was obtained due to severe neurologic deficits; it revealed disruption of the anterior longitudinal ligament at C2/3 and spinal cord contusion from C3-C6. The patient had a difficult intubation and prolonged weaning from the ventilator after his operation. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Emergency physicians must maintain preparedness for all patients and situations, no matter how rare. Prior knowledge of key differences in management of the ABCDs (airway, breathing, circulation, neurological deficit) in patients with achondroplasia will reduce morbidity and mortality.