J Emerg Med
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A wandering spleen (WS) is a rare clinical entity characterized by a spleen located in the lower part of the abdomen or the pelvic cavity rather than the normal anatomical site. The complications of a wandering spleen include splenic torsion, splenic infarction, and adjacent visceral injury. ⋯ We present a case of a male patient admitted to the emergency department with vomiting, nausea, and persistent lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography and ultrasound were performed and were used to diagnose a wandering spleen with torsion leading to splenic infarctions. Subsequently, laparoscopic surgery and pathology confirmed this diagnosis. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Ultrasound and computed tomography scans play a significant role in diagnosing WS and its complications, allowing an emergency physician to establish treatment options for WS.
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Case Reports
An Unusual Cause of Fever, Neck Pain, and Neck Stiffness: Acute Calcific Tendinitis of the Longus Colli Muscle.
Acute calcific tendinitis (ACT) of the longus colli muscle (LCM) is an inflammatory response due to deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals. It is typically correlated with whiplash and overuse injuries. A common presentation of this inflammatory response is acute but progressive neck pain. It is a rare but important cause of neck pain that should be considered on a differential diagnosis when distinguishing between life-threatening conditions and non-life-threatening causes of neck pain. ⋯ A 51-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) reporting a mild sore throat that progressed to acute neck pain and stiffness. She also reported fatigue, fever, myalgias, and nausea. In the ED, the patient was tachycardic, hypertensive, and mildly febrile with normal oxygen saturation. Examination revealed meningismus and was negative for lymphadenopathy, oropharyngeal findings, and neurologic deficits. Laboratory studies were significant for leukocytosis. Computed tomography (CT) neck was obtained and was notable for calcification of the superior left longus colli muscle with prevertebral and retropharyngeal space edema along the muscle body. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: ACT of the LCM is a benign, self-limited condition that can present with features overlapping emergent causes of acute neck pain. Correct diagnosis relies on characteristic radiographic findings on CT. Fortunately, patients may be discharged home with a short course of anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids with near-complete resolution of symptoms. Emergency physicians, therefore, can rule out life-threatening causes of neck pain, while also making a definitive diagnosis and initiating effective management for this pathology.
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Currently, the Wallace Rule of Nines is the most widely used method to measure total body surface area (TBSA) in burned patients due to its practicality and speed in its application; however, it often provides inaccurate estimations in obese patients, affecting the fluid resuscitation process. ⋯ We found important differences in TBSA determination using the 3D Skanect-MeshmixerⓇ software compared with the Wallace Rule of Nines. Therefore, we generated a modified and optimized Wallace Rule of Nines estimations based on BMI. Future studies are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of this optimized table.