Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 2014
Case ReportsNeurologic deterioration in a child undergoing treatment for tuberculosis meningitis.
Clinical deterioration while receiving antituberculosis (anti-TB) therapy can be due to a number of etiologies, including drug resistance, disease progression despite effective therapy, or alternative diagnoses. We present the case of a 22-month-old girl diagnosed with TB meningitis 4 months prior to presentation. At time of her initial diagnosis, computed tomography showed hydrocephalus and basilar meningitis with some evidence of ischemic damage. ⋯ Differential diagnosis included shunt malfunction and/or shunt infection. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed interval development of tuberculomas. Symptomatic and radiographic improvement was seen after initiation of corticosteroids for immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, which can be seen in immunocompetent children, with onset weeks to months after starting antituberculous therapy.
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 2014
Motivation to Quit Smoking in Parental Smokers in the Pediatric Emergency Department.
To examine if motivation to quit is associated with parental smoker's perceived presence of a personal or child health illness or risk due to tobacco use. ⋯ A significant proportion of parental smokers who present to the pediatric emergency department endorse strong motivation to quit. Parents who endorse health risk or quitting-related health benefits in their child are more likely to have high motivation to quit smoking. Future studies are needed to determine if high motivation translates into smoking cessation.
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 2014
Case ReportsIncidental mucocele of the appendix in a 15-year-old girl.
Mucocele of the appendix is an exceedingly uncommon pathology in the pediatric population that may present with abdominal pain or represent an incidental finding after routine abdominal imaging. Etiologies may be inflammatory or neoplastic, but all share the commonality of chronic appendiceal obstruction. Early diagnosis is critical for positive long-term outcomes because the operative management will differ from that of a dilated appendix secondary to acute appendicitis.
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 2014
Case ReportsTumor lysis syndrome: risk factors, diagnosis, and management.
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a potentially fatal complication of induction therapy for several types of malignancies. Electrolyte derangements and even downstream complications may also occur prior to the initial presentation to a medical provider, before an oncologic diagnosis has been established. ⋯ Careful evaluation of serum electrolytes, uric acid, and renal function must occur. Patients at risk for TLS and those who already exhibit laboratory or clinical evidence of TLS require close monitoring, aggressive hydration, and appropriate medical treatment.
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 2014
Case ReportsRapid Evaluation of Urinary Retention and Penile Pain Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound.
We describe the case of an 18-year-old male with a history of nephrolithiasis presenting with acute urinary retention and penile pain. Point-of-care ultrasound was used to rapidly identify a urethral calculus causing obstruction of urinary outflow and allowed for expedited care. Further visualization of the kidneys gave reassurance that the presentation was not complicated by the presence of hydronephrosis.