Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Case Reports
Non-infectious subcutaneous emphysema of the hand: a case report and review of the literature.
Subcutaneous emphysema in the hand can result from infectious and non-infectious aetiologies. Adequate history, physical examination, laboratory studies and imaging are needed to delineate the cause, to prevent debilitating consequences and to avoid unnecessary procedures and interventions. ⋯ A literature review of cases of non-infectious subcutaneous emphysema is presented here with an overview of the mechanism of injury, as well as the course and management. Certain criteria are also outlined to help differentiate between infectious and non-infectious emphysema, which include laboratory studies, imaging, timing and clinical symptoms.
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Prehospital emergency care is provided in many European countries by specialised emergency physicians. However, little is known about the impact of experience and educational level of emergency physicians on providing prehospital care. ⋯ The effect of education on treatment process and outcome in prehospital emergency care should merit further research, especially to ensure that junior emergency physicians are properly trained before they work in prehospital emergency medicine.
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The case history is presented of a healthy 25-year-old man who was admitted to hospital after two syncopal episodes caused by carbon monoxide poisoning after smoking narghile. Clinicians should be aware of this association when they evaluate syncope in the emergency department, especially in narghile users.
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The epidemiology of aortic transection is changing with improvements in road safety and the use of endovascular stents. This research investigates the profile of cases and outcomes of traumatic thoracic aortic transection in Victoria, Australia. ⋯ Aortic transection was generally secondary to traffic-related injury affecting young men, with a mortality rate of over 90%. There has been a trend towards endovascular treatment over open repair in Victorian trauma centres.