J Emerg Med
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Review Case Reports
Spontaneous compartment syndrome of the upper arm in a patient receiving anticoagulation therapy.
Compartment syndrome is a condition in which elevated pressures within an osseofascial compartment cause vascular compromise, leading to ischemia and possible necrosis. It commonly occurs after a traumatic event (e.g., fracture, crush, burn); however, compartment syndrome can happen spontaneously and in any compartment of the body. The objective of this case study is to present the signs and symptoms of upper arm compartment syndrome along with a review of the diagnosis and treatment. ⋯ Although uncommon, spontaneous compartment syndrome can occur, and prompt recognition and intervention are limb- and possibly life-saving.
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Treatment for pain and pain-related conditions has been identified as the most common reason for Emergency Department (ED) visits. ⋯ ED patients report a wide variety of pain scores. Factors associated with higher pain scores included younger age, female gender, African American race, Medicaid insurance status, multiple ED visits in the past year, and ED diagnoses of sickle cell crisis, back/neck/shoulder pain, and headache.
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An adjunct to assist cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) might improve the quality of CPR performance. ⋯ A simple audio-visual prompt device can improve CPR performance by emergency medical technicians.
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Hypermagnesemia is a rare condition that is usually iatrogenic. Magnesium oxide (MgO) ingestion by constipated patients with prolonged colonic retention contributes to hypermagnesemia. Treatment of hypermagnesemia includes discontinuation of the magnesium use, gastrointestinal (GI) decontamination, and removal of magnesium from the serum by dialysis. Calcium acts as an antagonist in hypermagnesemia. ⋯ This report demonstrates that MgO tablets retained in the GI tract without adequate decontamination result in continuous absorption and rebound of hypermagnesemia. This report also addresses the importance of GI decontamination in the treatment of hypermagnesemia.
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Sore throat is a common complaint for patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Although most are caused by viral and bacterial sources, an ingested foreign body must be considered in the right patient population. Retained foreign bodies occur in both children and adults. In children, the objects are usually non-food items, whereas adults are more likely to have impacted food boluses. Typically, patients present acutely, and chronic foreign bodies are rare, especially in adults. ⋯ Complaints related to sore throat commonly have a simple explanation. Recurrent symptoms and a physical examination inconsistent with common explanations require the differential to be broadened and less common causes considered.