The American journal of emergency medicine
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Dental abscesses are a common reason patients present to the emergency department (ED). Facial and dental imaging are sometimes necessary to support the clinical diagnosis. While radiographs and computed tomography scans are frequently used, point-of-care ultrasound (US) offers several advantages, including decreased radiation exposure, reduced costs, and shorter patient length of stay. This report outlines the use of US in evaluating patients with suspected dental abscesses in the ED. ⋯ US presents several advantages as an alternative imaging method for patients with suspected dental abscesses in the ED. Using innovative techniques such as the OHS and the TPT can further increase the visibility of tissue planes and help define the area of interest in these cases.
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Vision loss after facial trauma can occur from orbital compartment syndrome (OCS). Orbital compartment syndrome is commonly treated surgically with a lateral canthotomy and cantholysis (C&C). Our study investigates success rates of lateral C&C for the treatment of OCS amongst emergency medicine (EM) and ophthalmology providers. ⋯ The success rate of a lateral C&C is comparable amongst EM and ophthalmology providers. Improved training of physicians on the lateral C&C or other simpler procedures, such as the vertical lid split, could improve outcomes in OCS.
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Various neurological disorders and emotional stress may cause left ventricular dysfunction, known as a neurogenic stunned myocardium. A previously healthy 71-year-old woman collapsed immediately after experiencing left arm numbness and pain. Thereafter, the patient complained of anterior chest pain and became comatose. ⋯ Spinal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intramedullary spinal cord hemorrhage from the medulla to the conus. The cardiac function recovered, but the patient remained tetraplegic with poor spontaneous respiration. Although its incidence is extremely rare, hematomyelia should be recognized as a potential cause of neurogenic stunned myocardium.