European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Methaemoglobinemia is a disorder in which the haemoglobin molecule is functionally altered and prevented from carrying oxygen. A variety of aetiologies including genetic, dietary, idiopathic and toxicological sources may cause methaemoglobinemia. Symptoms vary from mild headache to coma or death, and may not correlate with measured methaemoglobin concentrations. ⋯ A 23-year-old girl who arrived in the emergency department in a state of confusion with intense cyanosis. The night before she had drunk water with ice defiled by ammonium nitrate, poured from a broken pack of instant ice. The absence of improvement after the administration of oxygen and the 'chocolate brown' colour of the arterial blood gave us the most important clue in suspecting the diagnosis of methaemoglobinemia.
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Comparative Study
The role of the emergency medicine resident using the Alvarado score in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis compared with the general surgery resident.
To compare the accuracy of diagnosing appendicitis between emergency medicine residents using the Alvarado score and general surgery residents using ultrasonography and their clinical provision. ⋯ There was no statistical difference between the emergency medicine residents using the Alvarado score and the general surgery residents in terms of suspecting the diagnosis of appendicitis.
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The early diagnosis of hollow viscous injury after blunt abdominal trauma remains a challenge for physicians in the Emergency Department, although the early diagnosis of hollow viscous injury decreases morbidity and mortality. After a description of two cases of hollow viscous injury after blunt abdominal trauma, a literature review is performed concerning the indications and limitations of diagnostic imaging modalities. Focused abdominal sonography for trauma, computed tomography scan and diagnostic peritoneal lavage are described. On the basis of the review a proposal for maximal diagnostic accuracy is made.
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A case of open irreducible dislocation of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb with interposed flexor pollicis longus tendon and palmar plate with sesamoid bone is described.