Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm remains an uncommon cause of hypovolaemic shock in the emergency department. This case report highlights that rapid resuscitation, diagnostic imaging, surgical consultation, and subsequent laparotomy remain the priorities in patient management.
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A short cut review was carried out to establish whether nasal erythema in a reindeer might be a useful navigational aid on Christmas Eve. From a search of nine papers, five presented evidence relevant to the question. The author, date and country of publication, "subjects" studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are presented in table 3. The clinical bottom line is that a reindeer with a red nose at rest at the North Pole would not inspire confidence.
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We sought to determine (1) how often and why emergency medicine resident physicians perform core physical exams in patients with minor peripheral chief complaints (MCCs); and (2) the clinical impact this practice. ⋯ Because they want to screen an underserved population, establish rapport, and meet what they believe is a standard of care, most emergency medicine residents performed core exams on patients with MCCs. Abnormal core physical exam findings are unusual and rarely lead to further testing or change in management.
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An obese body habitus may interfere with diagnosis of potentially life-threatening conditions. This report describes an obese woman who presented with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and diffuse infiltrates. ⋯ Urine pregnancy tests are part of the standard work-up for abdominal pain in women of childbearing age, but are not viewed as part of the work-up for respiratory distress or diffuse radiographic infiltrates. This case illustrates the value of obtaining a pregnancy test in all women, particularly those with obese body habitus, who present with respiratory failure of unclear aetiology.