J Emerg Med
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Over the last decade the usage of computed tomography (CT) imaging has risen dramatically in emergency department (ED) patients with abdominal pain. Recognizing the potential disadvantages of overuse of CT imaging, efforts are being made to reduce imaging. ⋯ Localization of abdominal pain by history or physical examination is not sufficient to accurately diagnose intra-abdominal pathology, especially cases of acute appendicitis, diverticulitis, or intestinal obstruction.
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Epinephrine effectiveness and safety are still questioned. It is well known that the effect of epinephrine varies depending on patients' rhythm and time to injection. ⋯ In shockable and nonshockable rhythms, epinephrine does not seem to have any benefit on D30 survival. These results underscore the need to perform further studies to define the optimal conditions for using epinephrine in patients with OHCA.
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Exposure to naphthalene, which is widely used in mothballs, does not usually produce adverse effects. However, naphthalene can be toxic, especially in individuals with underlying conditions such as glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. ⋯ A 3-year-old boy was brought to our Emergency Department after accidentally ingesting naphthalene mothballs 3 days prior to presentation. Laboratory investigations revealed that he had severe hemolytic anemia and mild methemoglobinemia (6%), which were treated with ascorbic acid and N-acetylcysteine. The patient tested positive for G6PD deficiency after stabilization and completion of his treatment. All provided treatments were administered empirically; test results were available only after the patient was discharged. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Naphthalene exposure is a common pediatric presentation with various complications that can occur in certain high-risk individuals, such as those with G6PD deficiency. Emergency physicians should be aware of this to anticipate and be able to treat worsening toxicity.
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Case Reports
A Rare Case of Spontaneous Pseudo-Aneurysm Rupture of an Extra-Anatomical Axillo-Femoral Bypass Graft: A Case Report.
Sudden onset of chest wall bulging is a rare chief symptom in the emergency department (ED). However, it may represent life-threatening diseases, such as tumor bleeding, aneurysm rupture, or subcutaneous emphysema. ⋯ We present an 89-year-old woman who visited our ED with a chief symptom of abrupt bulging of the right chest wall accompanied with severe pain. The patient had a history of peripheral artery disease and 10-year post-extra-anatomical axillo-femoral bypass (AxFB) status. After several examinations, the patient was diagnosed as having spontaneous pseudo-aneurysm rupture of an extra-anatomical AxFB graft. Emergency endovascular intervention with stent insertion was performed immediately, and the patient was eventually discharged successfully. WHY SHOULD EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS BE AWARE OF THIS?: Although spontaneous pseudo-aneurysm rupture of an extra-anatomical AxFB graft is rare, the disease may consequently lead to a fatal outcome once misdiagnosed, and prompt intervention is warranted. Therefore, we should always consider the differential diagnosis of this disease in patients with a bulging chest wall and history of AxFB graft placement.
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Ultrasound (US) is the preferred method of initial evaluation for appendicitis in pediatrics. However, limited accuracy of US for appendicitis is an obstacle to implementation of US-first protocols at facilities less experienced with US. ⋯ An US-first imaging protocol for appendicitis in children shows chronologic improvement in diagnostic accuracy. This may provide encouragement to facilities using computed tomography-based diagnostic protocols to implement US-first protocols to reduce childhood radiation exposure.