Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
-
Case Reports Comparative Study
Electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation: correct identification of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and non-AMI syndromes by emergency physicians.
To determine the emergency physician's (EP's) ability to identify the cause of ST-segment elevation (STE) in a hypothetical chest pain patient. ⋯ In this survey, EPs were asked whether they would give TT based on limited information (ECG). Certain syndromes with STE were frequently misdiagnosed. Emergency physician electrocardiographic education must focus on the proper identification of these syndromes so that TT may be appropriately utilized.
-
Small-bowel intussusception (SBI) for pediatric patients is unusual and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. This study sought to determine the sonographic findings of pediatric SBI. ⋯ Small-bowel intussusception is often over-looked due to nonspecific clinical presentations. Sonographic demonstration of a 2-3-cm sized, short, doughnut-like lesion, especially in the left abdomen or paraumbilical regions, should lead to strong suspicion of SBI.
-
Although ultrasound guidance is occasionally used for abscess detection and aspiration by our radiology colleagues, this is still a very uncommon application in the emergency department (ED). A case is presented of a patient with a difficult-to-drain, recurrent breast abscess. ⋯ Drainage of the abscess was successfully completed in one attempt with real-time visualization and guidance of the needle. The consulting surgeon requested that ultrasound be available at the patient's follow-up visit to the ED.
-
To determine the short-term outcome of patients with a known seizure disorder who have a seizure, are evaluated by out-of-hospital care providers, and refuse transport. ⋯ Most patients (94.2%) who were evaluated by out-of-hospital care providers for a seizure and refused transport had no further seizure activity in the subsequent 72 hours. However, because there is a risk of recurrence, out-of-hospital care providers and medical command physicians should ensure that patients understand the risks of refusal.