The American journal of emergency medicine
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Review Meta Analysis
Cervical spine injuries in adults ≥ 65 years after low-level falls - A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Adults ≥ 65 are at risk of cervical spine (C-spine) injury, even after low-level falls. The objectives of this systematic review were to determine the prevalence of C-spine injury in this population and explore the association of unreliable clinical exam with C-spine injury. ⋯ Adults ≥ 65 years are at risk of cervical spine injury after low-level falls. More research is needed to determine whether there is an association between cervical spine injury and GCS < 15 or altered level of consciousness.
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Toxic alcohol ingestion is a rare but serious condition that carries with it a high rate of morbidity and mortality. ⋯ An understanding of toxic alcohol ingestion can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this potentially deadly disease.
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The choice of correct interface for the right patient is crucial for the success of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) therapy. Helmet CPAP is a type of interface used to deliver NIV. Helmet CPAP improves oxygenation by keeping the airway open throughout the breathing cycle with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). ⋯ Helmet CPAP is one of the potential NIV interface in patients with acute respiratory failure presenting to the emergency department. It is better tolerated for prolonged usage, reduced intubation rate, improved respiratory parameters, and offers protection against aerosolization in infectious diseases.
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Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies globally and it can both be difficult to diagnose but also to differentiate complicated from uncomplicated appendicitis preoperatively. The objective of this scoping review was to develop an overview of biomarkers in blood discriminating complicated from uncomplicated appendicitis and characterize their applicability in an acute setting including time, cost, and analysis technique required as well as their individual precision. ⋯ Routine biomarkers were applicable in an acute setting but had poor diagnostic accuracy. Novel biomarkers are being investigated for potential, but the concept is still premature due to lack of diagnostic accuracy studies reporting cost-benefit for individual markers and whether they can be applied in an acute setting.