J Emerg Med
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Porphyrias are a group of eight metabolic disorders characterized by defects in heme biosynthesis. Porphyrias are classified into two major categories: 1) the acute or inducible porphyrias and 2) the chronic cutaneous porphyrias. The acute hepatic porphyrias are further classified into acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), hereditary coproporphyria, variegate porphyria, and porphyria due to severe deficiency of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) dehydratase (ALADP). ⋯ Once suspected, the diagnosis of porphyria can be rapidly established by checking random urinary porphobilinogen. Initial management of acute porphyria includes discontinuation of all potentially harmful drugs and management of symptoms. Acute attacks should be treated emergently with intravenous heme and glucose to avoid considerable morbidity and mortality. Acute attacks last a few days, and the majority of patients are asymptomatic between attacks. Prognosis is good if the condition is recognized early and treated aggressively.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in an estimated 1.7 million emergency department visits each year in the United States. These injuries frequently occur outside, leaving injured individuals exposed to environmental temperature extremes before they are transported to a hospital. ⋯ Hospital data suggest that EBTs are associated with poor outcomes, and some preliminary reports suggest that early EBTs are common after TBI in the prehospital setting. However, it remains unclear whether patients with TBI have an increased risk of EBTs after exposure to high environmental temperatures, or if this very early "hyperthermia" might cause secondary injury after TBI.
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Review Case Reports
A Review of Published Radiographic Indicators of Carpometacarpal Dislocation Including Their Application to Volar Dislocations Through a Case Study.
Carpometacarpal joint dislocation is an uncommon injury that is at risk of being overlooked on initial presentation. Dislocation in a volar direction is rare, with a number of case reports published in the literature. ⋯ We report a case of volar dislocation at our institution, and review the application of two reported radiographic signs of carpometacarpal dislocation to volar dislocation. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Radiographic signs provide an aid to the emergency physician in the busy department. These are particularly helpful to rule out rare injuries. Carpometacarpal dislocations in a volar direction risk being missed by one radiographic sign reported in the literature, as this article highlights.
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Observational Study
The Assessment of Acute Pain in Pre-Hospital Care Using Verbal Numerical Rating and Visual Analogue Scales.
Prehospital care (PHC) pain evaluation is an essential patient assessment to be performed by paramedics. Pain intensity is frequently assessed using Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS) or Visual Analog Scale (VAS). ⋯ VAS performs as well as VNRS in assessing acute pain in PHC. VAS and VNRS must not be used interchangeably to assess acute pain; either method should be used consistently.
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An internal hernia is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, which can occur at any age. Children most often develop an internal hernia due to a congenital defect in the mesentery. While some patients are asymptomatic, others present to medical attention with vague abdominal symptoms, an acute abdomen, or in shock. ⋯ We report a case of a 5-day-old previously healthy baby who presented to our pediatric emergency department with bilious vomiting, grossly bloody stool, and abdominal distention. During an exploratory laparotomy, the patient was diagnosed with an internal hernia caused by a congenital mesenteric defect. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Although internal hernia is an infrequent cause of intestinal obstruction in a newborn and requires emergent operative repair, it may be mistaken for other more common causes, such as necrotizing entercolitis, which are often managed medically. This case report aims to highlight some of the difficulties in diagnosis and key features that may assist the clinician in identifying these patients.