J Emerg Med
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We report a case of post-lumbar-puncture headache successfully treated with intravenous caffeine sodium benzoate. The patient presented to the emergency department with a severe headache three days after a myelogram of the lumbar region. ⋯ Caffeine sodium benzoate is a simple treatment of post-lumbar-puncture headaches. It should be considered as a safe alternative to an epidural blood patch for the treatment of post-lumbar-puncture headaches.
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Swelling in the groin may represent much more than an inguinal hernia and an inguinal hernia may be much more complicated than it seems upon superficial consideration. Intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage as well as many other congenital, inflammatory, infectious, or neoplastic processes occurring either locally or at distance from the groin may present in the groin, simulating a hernia, or within an inguinal hernia sac itself. Delayed and spontaneous rupture of the spleen are not rare occurrences. The case discussed, an episode of delayed rupture of the spleen presenting as blood within an inguinal hernia sac, serves to emphasize that following a complete clinical evaluation many entities other than simple inguinal hernia must be considered if a thorough differential diagnosis of a groin mass is to be developed.
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Two cases of acute dystonic reactions associated with diazepam ingestion are reported. This report is a brief review of drug-induced extra-pyramidal syndromes, and a mechanism for diazepam-induced dystonic reactions is proposed. Intravenous diphenhydramine was successful in treating both patients.
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A standardized test for measuring the needle penetration forces has been developed that can be easily replicated in any laboratory. Using this test, conventional cutting edge needles utilized in the test produced lower penetration forces than reverse cutting edge needles. The lower penetration forces encountered by the conventional cutting edge needles imply that the physician should be able to handle these needles with more dexterity and precision than the reverse cutting edge needle.
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Faculty development is a training process that strives continually to improve the creativity, productivity, and longevity of individuals committed to the practice of academic medicine. Information pertinent to faculty development is contained in textbooks scattered throughout the medical literature. ⋯ The cost of this library is +333.50. This library was designed to assist emergency physicians in obtaining useful sources of information as part of their continuing education as academic faculty.