Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · May 2014
Case ReportsThree unique presentations of atraumatic spinal cord infarction in the pediatric emergency department.
Nontraumatic spinal cord infarction is especially rare in children. Although diagnosis is easily made with magnetic resonance imaging, the typical presenting signs and symptoms and etiology remain elusive. ⋯ We consider their presentation, etiology, and treatment course to provide other emergency department physicians with the ability to better identify and evaluate these patients. We also note the need for further research on nontraumatic spinal cord infarction because these patients' outcomes can be quite devastating.
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Pediatric emergency care · May 2014
Analysis of Infant Lumbar Puncture Success Rates: Sitting Flexed Versus Lateral Flexed Positions.
The primary objective was to determine whether the sitting flexed position yields higher success rates of obtaining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for culture. The secondary objectives were to determine whether the sitting flexed position yields higher success rates of obtaining the following: CSF for cell count, non-traumatic CSF, and CSF on the first attempt. ⋯ The sitting flexed position was as successful as the lateral flexed position in the primary objective of obtaining CSF for culture and the secondary objectives of obtaining CSF for cell count and non-traumatic CSF. For the secondary objective of obtaining CSF on the first attempt, the sitting flexed position was associated with a higher rate of obtaining CSF on the first attempt in infants younger than 12 months.