J Emerg Med
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Review
Shoulder Dislocations in the Emergency Department: A Comprehensive Review of Reduction Techniques.
Shoulder dislocations are a common presentation to the emergency department and one of the most frequent types of joint dislocations. Studies have found that delays from presentation to first reduction attempt and failed attempt at initial reduction are associated with lower rates of overall reduction success. ⋯ It is essential for emergency physicians to be familiar with multiple different reduction techniques in case the initial reduction attempt is unsuccessful or patient-specific characteristics limit the ability to perform certain techniques. This article reviews several reduction maneuvers for shoulder dislocations, variations on these techniques, and advantages and disadvantages for each approach. It is intended to serve as a resource for those interested in expanding their knowledge of shoulder reduction techniques.
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Case Reports
Early Diagnosis of a Pediatric Pancreatic Tumor by Abdominal Physical Examination: A Case Report.
Detecting a neoplasm in pediatric patients with acute abdominal pain is difficult, especially when there is no palpable mass. Ihara's maneuver, which allows the physician to apply manual pressure directly on the pancreatic body, is a useful palpation method of diagnosing acute pancreatitis in children. We report a case of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas (SPNP) detected by Ihara's maneuver. ⋯ An otherwise healthy, 15-year-old male visited our emergency department with acute abdominal pain and nausea. His vital signs were appropriate for his age. A physical examination denied peritoneal signs, but Ihara's maneuver induced strong tenderness. His serum amylase and lipase were normal. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a well-defined, 2.2-cm, nonenhanced mass in the pancreatic tail. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was performed, and the diagnosis of SPNP was confirmed. The patient was well postoperatively without any metastasis. SPNP is a rare neoplasm with low malignant potential. Although it typically occurs in young females, it has also been reported in children. The early diagnosis of SPNP is usually challenging because most patients do not have specific symptoms or laboratory findings. In the present case, the SPNP was difficult to detect by palpation because of its size, but Ihara's maneuver induced strong tenderness of the pancreas and led to a diagnosis. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Ihara's maneuver has the potential to enable early diagnosis not only of pancreatitis but also of pancreatic tumors, such as SPNP.
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Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common form of diabetes mellitus in the pediatric population, with an estimated 500,000 children living with T1DM and an estimated 80,000 new cases each year in the United States. Ophthalmologic complications of diabetes are common in adult patients and those with longstanding disease, but can also be seen in patients with a recent diagnosis, even among the pediatric population. ⋯ We present the case of a 13-year-old girl with recently diagnosed T1DM who presented to the pediatric emergency department with acute onset of bilateral blurry vision due to cataract formation. Prompt recognition of the condition and ophthalmologic consultation allowed for timely diagnosis and restorative surgery. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: We present this case to increase awareness among emergency physicians of the potential for cataract formation in pediatric patients with T1DM, as well as the fact that it may be the first presenting sign of the disease. Furthermore, emergency physicians should be aware that pediatric patients who present with severe T1DM, either with extremely high hemoglobin A1c or glycemic blood levels, are at increased risk for cataract formation and should be evaluated for subtle signs of cataract formation even in the absence of obvious cataracts. We also discuss the pathophysiologic theories of cataract formation in patients with T1DM.
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Many emergency department (ED) patients in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are admitted to an inpatient intensive care unit (ICU), while ICU capacity is under increasing strain. The Emergency Critical Care Center (EC3), a hybrid ED-ICU setting, opened with the goal of providing rapid initiation of ICU care in the ED. ⋯ Management of patients with DKA in an ED-ICU was associated with decreased ICU and hospital utilization with similar safety outcomes. Managing rapidly reversible critical illnesses in an ED-ICU may help obviate increasing strain facing many health care systems.
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Patients with ST elevation on electrocardiogram (ECG) could have ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or pericarditis. Spodick's sign, a downsloping of the ECG baseline (the T-P segment), has been described, but not validated, as a sign of pericarditis. ⋯ Spodick's sign is statistically associated with pericarditis, but it is seen in 5% of patients with STEMI. Among other findings, ST depression, III > II, and absence of PR depression were the most discriminating.