J Emerg Med
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Mumps is a Paramyxoviridae virus. This disease was rampant prior to introduction of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, resulting in decreased incidence. This disease has demonstrated several outbreaks. ⋯ Mumps is an easily spread virus. Although vaccination is the most effective way to prevent transmission, early recognition of the disease is crucial. As an emergency physician, it is important to recognize the clinical presentation, recommended testing, treatment, and isolation procedures.
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Traumatic perforation of the tympanic membrane (TPTM) is often encountered in primary care or in the emergency department (ED). Several therapeutic interventions have been described, but conservative follow-up until spontaneous complete recovery is the most common choice. ⋯ TPTM was more common in young males with main mechanisms of blunt trauma (an assault) or cleaning the ear canal. All children demonstrated complete spontaneous recovery.
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Case Reports
Methemoglobinemia in a Case of Paint Thinner Intoxication, Treated Successfully with Vitamin C.
Methemoglobin (MetHb) is an oxidized form of hemoglobin. It is a poor transporter of oxygen and is unable to deliver oxygen to the tissue. Globally, drug & toxin induced methemoglobinemia is more common as compared with the congenital form. Methemoglobinemia caused by paint thinner intoxication is rare. Methylene blue is well established as the first-line therapy for severe methemoglobinemia. ⋯ A 25-year old man was brought to the Emergency Department after accidental consumption of paint thinner. On clinical examination, he had cyanosis and there were discrepancies in his pulse oximetry and arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis results. With this clue and supporting laboratory investigations, the diagnosis of toxin-induced methemoglobinemia was made. Due to the unavailability of methylene blue, alternative treatment with high-dose vitamin C was attempted, to which the patient responded. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: The role of vitamin C in the treatment of methemoglobinemia has not been well established, with only a few published case reports. This patient had severe methemoglobinemia, with MetHb of 46.4%, which responded dramatically to vitamin C therapy, with no side effects. This case shows that high-dose vitamin C is safe and has the potential to be an effective alternative for the treatment of severe methemoglobinemia. In the presence of cyanosis, mismatch of pulse-oximetry and ABG-analysis are the key for the physician to suspect methemoglobinemia.
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Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the world. Advanced age is the strongest risk factor for ischemic heart disease and the best independent predictor for poor outcomes after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Elderly patients are at high risk for ACS, and numerous studies have shown that octogenarians in particular experience increased morbidity and mortality compared to younger patients. ⋯ We describe a case of an 83-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of sore throat and was found to have a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and was treated successfully with primary coronary intervention (PCI). WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Chest pain is a common presenting symptom for ACS, but elderly patients with MI are more likely to present with other chief complaints. Only 40% of patients in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction database ≥ 85 years of age had chest pain on initial presentation. Recent studies comparing invasive therapy (PCI or coronary artery bypass graft) with optimal medical therapy for patients > 75 years of age diagnosed with NSTEMI have reported a reduced risk of death and major cardiac events with invasive therapy. Emergency physicians should have a high level of suspicion for ACS in octogenarians, even in those presenting without chest pain. Timely diagnosis and management can improve morbidity and mortality in these patients.
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Substantial variation exists in rates of emergency department (ED) admission. We examine this variation after accounting for local and community characteristics. ⋯ Variation in hospital-level admission rates is associated with a number of local and community characteristics. However, the presence of persistent variation after adjustment suggests there are other unmeasured variables that also affect admission rates that deserve further study, particularly in an era of cost containment.