Can J Emerg Med
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What is the prevalence of immediate and incidence of delayed intracranial hemorrhage in patients with blunt head trauma who use warfarin or clopidogrel? ⋯ To assess the prevalence of immediate and the cumulative incidence of delayed traumatic intracranial hemorrhage in patients using warfarin or clopidogrel.
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In emergency department patients with symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial infarction, is the absolute or relative change of cardiac troponin assays (either high sensitivity or ultrasenstive) more accurate in diagnosing acute myocardial infarction at 1 to 2 hours postpresentation? ⋯ To evaluate the accuracy of new troponin assays in diagnosing acute myocardial events.
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Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare clinical entity. It is less common when the entire epidural space is involved, known as a holocord or panspinal SEA, and it is even less common in a pregnant patient. We report a case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus holocord SEA in a 30-year-old female at approximately 22 weeks' gestational age who presented with lumbar pain and pelvic pressure and the urge to bear down. ⋯ The medical and surgical management of SEA is also discussed. SEA can have an insidious and atypical presentation despite extensive involvement of the epidural space. Therefore, the diagnosis of SEA should always be considered in patients who present to the emergency department with back pain.