J Emerg Med
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There are more than 100,000 cases of esophageal foreign body in the United States each year. Most cases resolve spontaneously; however, complete esophageal obstruction is a medical emergency. Patients with developmental disabilities are at high risk, because a large percentage of this population is effected by dysphagia, pica, tooth loss, or impulsive swallowing. In some cases, the diagnosis of esophageal foreign body can be made clinically, with the typical presentation including coughing, inability to tolerate secretions, drooling, vomiting, and dysphagia. In other instances, imaging is needed to confirm the diagnosis. ⋯ A nonverbal adult patient with history of mental retardation and dysphagia presented to the emergency department (ED) after a choking episode with persistent coughing. An x-ray study of the chest showed mild opacity at the left lung base and she was discharged with antibiotics. She returned to the ED that day with worsening symptoms suggestive of aspiration pneumonia. A computed tomography scan of the chest revealed numerous cylindrical objects in the esophagus, later identified as crayons. At least 28 crayons were removed via 3 endoscopies. During this time, the patient developed aspiration pneumonia, respiratory distress, and septic shock. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Delayed recognition of foreign body puts patients at risk for esophageal perforation, aspiration, airway compromise, infection, sepsis, and death. In nonverbal patients presenting with upper respiratory symptoms, it is especially important to consider esophageal foreign body in the differential diagnosis, because this group is high risk for missed diagnosis and complications secondary to the foreign body.
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Medication shortages commonly occur in resource-poor settings. The relatively short expiry dates on many medications exacerbate these shortages, often requiring clinicians to choose between providing needed medications to the patient and violating rules governing drug dispensing. ⋯ Ethically, physicians have a duty to place their patient's welfare above their own self-interest. In a time of increasing medication shortages around the globe, clinicians need to push rule makers to synchronize drug expiry dates with scientific findings.
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Observational Study
Diagnostic Accuracy of Point-Of-Care Ultrasound for Intussusception Performed by Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians.
Intussusception (INT) is a common cause of bowel obstruction in young children. Delay in diagnosis can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. There have been several studies evaluating early point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the diagnosis of INT by nonradiologists. ⋯ POCUS performed by novice sonographers to diagnose INT has high diagnostic concordance with RPUS. Emergency department-performed POCUS is a rapid and accurate method for diagnosing INT.