The American journal of emergency medicine
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Review Case Reports
Diagnosis, complications, and treatment of dentoskeletal malocclusion.
The frequency of correctable malocclusion makes it imperative that the condition be diagnosed and referred for appropriate treatment. A complete dentofacial examination, which assesses facial symmetry and the dentition in the transverse, sagittal, and centric relations, is appropriate. ⋯ A combination of orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery will correct the dentoskeletal malocclusion and prevent any long-term complications. The purpose of this case report is to describe a patient with severe dentoskeletal malocclusion who benefitted from appropriate orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery.
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Because the benefits from thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are time dependent, multiple strategies have been devised to speed therapy. This study sought to determine whether hospital-based nurse and paramedic advanced life support (ALS) providers could be trained to independently evaluate (sight read) a prehospital 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) for the presence of AMI as part of a protocol designed to speed in-hospital administration of thrombolytic agents. Providers were required to determine on the basis of a protocol (1) whether or not AMI was present, and (2) whether or not thrombolytic therapy was indicated. ⋯ Fourteen patients (9%) received thrombolytic therapy. In-hospital times to administration of thrombolytic therapy decreased to an average of 22 +/- 13.8 minutes in the studied group compared with a historical control group average of 51 +/- 50 minutes. It is concluded that hospital-based paramedics and nurses can successfully be taught to evaluate (ie, sight read) a prehospital ECG for the presence of AMI with accuracy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Ethanol intoxication has been widely reported as a cause of lactic acidosis. To determine the frequency and severity of ethanol-induced lactic acidosis, patients who presented to an emergency department with a clinical diagnosis of acute ethanol intoxication and a serum ethanol concentration of at least 100 mg/dL were studied. Arterial blood was sampled for lactate and blood gas determinations. ⋯ Only one case with elevated blood lactate concentration had associated acidemia. Significant elevations of blood lactate are uncommon in acute ethanol intoxication. In patients with ethanol intoxication who are found to have lactic acidosis, other etiologies for the elevated lactate level should be considered.
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Sympathomimetic use results in a triad of hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, and elevated white blood cell count. Transient hypokalemia results from activation of the Na+/K+ pump and transport of potassium intracellularly. Increased serum glucose and insulin may also contribute to the intracellular shift of potassium after sympathomimetic use. ⋯ These cases demonstrated that significant depressions in serum potassium can occur after pediatric albuterol overdose. Although transient, the dose-response relationship and duration of effect is unknown. Although significant hypokalemia can occur after ingestion of oral sympathomimetics, replacement should be managed on an individual basis until further studies are completed.
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Ovarian vein thrombosis is a rare occurrence in the postpartum period. Two cases of postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis are presented. ⋯ Early diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment and prevention of the potential sequelae that can occur. Computerized tomography with contrast is the optimal imaging modality for the diagnosis.