Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
-
A short cut review was carried out to establish whether the addition of intravenous magnesium to standard treatments improved outcome in patients with exacerbations of COPD. Altogether 465 papers were found using the reported search, of which one presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of this best paper are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.
-
A short cut review was carried out to establish whether intra-articular corticosteroid injections were effective at reducing pain in patients with acute rheumatoid monoarthritis. Altogether 215 papers were found using the reported search, of which one presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of this best paper are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.
-
To determine outcomes and markers of serious illness for febrile patients presenting to an adult emergency department. ⋯ Few febrile adults presenting to the emergency department suffer an adverse outcome suggesting effective risk stratification is occurring. The identification of factors associated with adverse events may further improve this process.
-
Delayed herniation of the abdominal contents through a congenital diaphragmatic hernia may occur beyond the neonatal period. The case is reported of a 9 month old child presenting with acute respiratory distress secondary to tension gastrothorax. ⋯ The late presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia poses considerable diagnostic challenges often leading to misdiagnosis and risk of thoracocentesis. The possibility of late presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia should be considered in unusual cases of pneumothorax, especially in the absence of trauma so that unnecessary procedures like chest tube drainage can be avoided.