European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Patients presenting with acute scrotal pain to the emergency department require a timely diagnosis. Although the differential diagnosis can be extensive and varies with age, there are a few conditions that are considered true surgical emergencies. These include torsion of the spermatic cord, incarcerated hernia with strangulation, testicular trauma leading to rupture or organ-threatening hematomas, and Fournier's gangrene. ⋯ Other causes such as epididymitis or orchitis need to be distinguished, and although not requiring emergency surgery, still require urgent diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostic ultrasound can accurately diagnose many acute conditions of the scrotum, and emergency physicians have come to utilize it to advance their diagnostic acumen. This educational review article discusses the current literature and the use of emergency ultrasound in patients presenting with scrotal pain as well as scanning approaches and common sonographic findings.
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Historical Article Observational Study
Elevated lactate level and shock index in nontraumatic hypotensive patients presenting to the emergency department.
The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of lactate level (LL) and shock index (SI) on the outcome in nontraumatic hypotensive patients in the emergency department, and also to show the significance of the combined usage of these two parameters. ⋯ The combination of both parameters is effective in predicting these outcome measures with higher sensitivities and NPVs. Further studies on the subject are required.
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Pocket ultrasound devices (PUDs) increase the scope of transthoracic echocardiography. We assessed the ability of emergency physicians (EPs) to obtain and interpret views using PUDs in prehospital emergencies. ⋯ After a very short training program, echocardiography using a PUD in prehospital emergencies was feasible in half of patients. Acquisition of technical skills is reasonable, but accurate evaluation of cardiac function may require more extensive training.
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Observational Study
Acute testicular pain in children: collaboration in timely management.
Acute scrotal pain in a child is a urological emergency. Surgeons should be involved early and exclude torsion promptly, often by surgical exploration. This short report compares the time taken by different medical practitioners [Emergency Department (ED) doctors and surgeons] to assess children presenting to the ED with acute scrotal pain. ⋯ Surgeons reviewed patients with testicular pain quicker than ED doctors when they were referred directly from triage (P=0.019). Overall, review by a surgeon was more timely if the patient was referred directly from triage rather than after referral by the ED doctor (P<0.0001). A direct fast-track referral system to surgeons is needed in the ED to prevent unnecessary delays in definitive management of patients with testicular pain.
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Observational Study
Best approach to measuring the inferior vena cava in spontaneously ventilating patients: a pilot study.
The objective of this study was to establish the reliability of different measurements of inferior vena cava (IVC) size and respiratory variation in response to changes in circulating volume. Transabdominal ultrasound measurements of the IVC were obtained in longitudinal (B and M modes) and transverse planes (B-mode height and ellipse circumference) during inspiration and expiration, and inferior vena cava collapsibility indices (IVCci) were calculated. Measurements were repeated following venesection of ∼450 ml. ⋯ Changes in IVCci are sensitive to small changes in circulating volume. Measurements are most frequently achieved in the longitudinal plane. There is an urgent need for standardization of sonographic IVC measurement techniques.