Emergency Medicine Cases

In this episode: recognition, risk stratification, decision tools, indications for lumbar puncture in the febrile pediatric patient, tips and trick on performing LPs in children, and ED management of pediatric meningitis. We answer such questions as: what are the test characteristics of the various clinical features of meningitis across various ages? How does one differentiate between meningitis and retropharyngeal abscess on physical exam? How do the Canadian and American guidelines on work up of well-appearing febrile infants compare when to it comes to indications for lumbar puncture? Which patients with suspected meningitis require imaging prior to lumbar puncture? How do we best interpret the various CSF tests to help distinguish between viral and bacterial meningitis? What are the indications and timing of administering dexamethasone in the pediatric patient with suspected meningitis? and many more.... EM Cases is Free Open Access; please consider a donation to help ensure that EM Cases remains Free Open Access on our donation page https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

In this month's EM Quick Hits podcast: Megan Landes on the importance of diagnosing HIV in the ED, Jesse McLaren on the failed paradigm of STEMI criteria and ECG tips to identify acute coronary occlusion, Anand Swaminathan on evidence for non-invasive airway management in the poisoned patient, Brit Long and Hans Rosenberg on the identification, workup and management of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, Matt Poyner on the most lucrative side-gig, DIY investing. To support EM Cases, please consider a donation here: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

Once the diagnosis of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been made, our job is not done. Mortality in SAH patients can be up to 30% even without neurological deficit. Paying attention to the time-sensitive details of ED management of SAH patients can have a significant impact on their outcome. In this second part of our 2-part podcast series on subarachnoid hemorrhage with Dr. Katie Lin and Dr. Jeff Perry we answer questions such as: what are the 4 critical priorities in the initial stabilization of the patient with a suspected massive subarachnoid hemorrhage? When is a CT plus CTA of the head indicated up front in the management of patients with suspected subarachnoid hemorrhage? What is the evidence for oral nimodipine in improving outcomes in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and how does it work? What can we do in the ED to prevent rebleeding in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage? What are the simplest and best prognostic tools available for spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage to help counsel families and patients? and more...

Anton is joined by the world's leading EM researcher in subarachnoid hemorrhage diagnosis Dr. Jeff Perry and EM-Stroke team clinician Dr. Katie Lin for a deep dive into why we still miss this life-threatening diagnosis, the key clinical clues, proper use of decision tools, indications for CT, indications for CTA, indications for LP and CSF interpretation for the sometimes elusive diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage... Help support EM Cases by making a donation: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

In this month's EM Quick Hits podcast: Justin Morgenstern on the first RCT of high dose nitroglycerin in SCAPE, Andrew Neill on Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) indications and evidence, Brit Long on indications for CT in suspected diverticulitis, Tahara Bhate on Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO) and diagnostic error, Matthew McArthur on penicillin allergy labels, myths and penicillin challenges, and Susan Lu on how ED physician personality influences patient outcomes... Please support EM Cases with a donation: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

In this part 2 of our 2-part podcast on asthma with Dr. Sameer Mal and Dr. Leeor Sommer, we dig into the recognition and management of life-threatening asthma. We answer such questions as: what are the key elements in recognition of threatening asthma? What are the most time-sensitive interventions required to break the vicious cycle of asthma? What are the best options for dosing and administering magnesium sulphate, epinephrine, fentanyl and ketamine in the management of the crashing asthmatic? What is the role of NIPPV in the management of life-threatening asthma? What are the factors we should consider when it comes to indications for endotracheal intubation of the crashing asthmatic? What role do blood gases play in the decision to intubate? What are the most appropriate ventilation strategies in the intubated asthma patient? and many more... Please support EM Cases with a donation: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

In this part 1 of our 2-part podcast series on Asthma Management we explore a systematic approach to managing patients presenting to the ED with asthma exacerbations. Our discussion will emphasize the critical role of a thorough history and physical examination in effectively stratifying patient risk and guiding treatment/disposition decisions. Additionally, we'll examine the importance of providing comprehensive discharge medications and instructions to mitigate both mortality and morbidity associated with asthma exacerbations. We answer questions such as: which patients, if any, require peak expiratory flow measurements in the ED? Why is it so important to add steroid MDI therapy to oral steroid therapy in patients being discharged from the ED after an asthma exacerbation? What are the most predictive variables to risk stratify patients with asthma exacerbations to help guide treatment and disposition? and many more. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we'll delve deep into the management of the crashing asthmatic. Please support EM Cases FOAMed with a donation: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

Anand Swaminathan on an update on the appropriate selection of induction agents. Hans Rosenberg on when to use gabapentinoids for pain control in the ED. Katie Lin on pearls for neuroprotective intubation. Nour Khatib and Hamza Jalal on an approach to paresthesias in the ED. Eric Wortmann on preventing burnout in emergency medicine. Please support EM Cases with a donation https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

In order fix EM, each of us needs to understand systems issues and systems thinking, and advocate for a better system based on sound systems principles and specific solutions. In this main episode EM Cases podcast Anton is joined by Dr. Alecs Chochinov and Dr. Davie Petrie, two systems thinkers and leaders in EM. They discuss solutions for how to fix EM in 5 spheres: having a coordinated mission, optimizing access points, accountability, disaster preparedness and adaptation/evolution. They answer questions such as: What can we glean from how EM has evolved in the last few decades to help shape the future? How can we utilize virtual care to make it work for us and our patients well? How can we improve our EMS systems? How can we change the system to prevent emergency provider burnout? How can we integrate systems thinking into the daily operations of EDs to improve patient flow and outcomes? and many more... -Support EM Cases with a Donation https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

Olivia Ostrow on the management of button battery ingestions, Brit Long on C difficile infection, Jesse McLaren on an approach to ECG's in the tox patient, Joe Mullally on the identification and treatment of bed bug bites, Andrew Petrosoniak on fibrinogen replacement in bleeding trauma patients, Justin Morganstern on Cold Air for Croup... https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

Triquetrum chip fractures, scapholunate injuries, hook of the hamate fractures, and of course, scaphoid fractures can be easily missed with serious consequences for our patients. In this part 2 of our 2-part podcast series on wrist injuries we highlight the "Big 4" most commonly missed and mismanaged carpal bone injuries, elucidating the key historical, physical exam and x-ray findings, as well as management strategies...

In this part 1 or our 2-part podcast series on wrist injuries Dr. Arun Sayal and Dr. Matt DiStefano answer such questions as:when should we suspect a DRUJ injury, why is it important to pick up DRUJ injuries in the ED, and how does it change our management? Why is the lateral x-ray view so important in picking up commonly missed wrist injuries? When it comes to distal radius fractures, how are Colles vs Barton's vs Smith's fractures managed differently in the ED? What are the 2 key x-ray signs we should look for on the AP and the 2 key x-ray signs we should look for on the lateral for every wrist injury? and many more...

On this month's EM Quick Hits podcast: Anand Swaminathan on update to ED management of postpartum hemorrhage, Nour Khatib on serotonin syndrome and its mimics, Katie Lin on an approach to recognition and management of severe TBI and brain herniation syndromes, Hans Rosenberg on the ED management of ulcerative colitis, Heather Cary on pediatric c-spine immobilization controversies and techniques, Navpreet Sahsi on the difference between humanitarian and development work... Please support EM Cases with a donation: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

Key principles and approach to management of both non-massive and massive hemoptysis with Dr. Scott Weingart and Dr. Bourke Tillmann, who answer questions such as: What are the factors to consider in the decision to intubate patients with massive hemoptysis? How can one reliably distinguish hemoptysis from pseudohemoptysis? What is the evidence for tranexamic acid in patients with hemoptysis? What are the best strategies for suctioning blood from the airway to improve visualization during endotracheal intubation in crashing hemoptysis patients? What is the role of bronchoscopy and how should it be integrated into the hemoptysis management algorithm? How does one's hemorrhage control strategy change when pulmonary embolism is the underlying diagnosis? and many more... Please support EM Cases with a donation: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

In this month's EM Quick Hits podcast: Sarah Reid on an approach to Infant Vomiting, Brit Long on Orbital Cellulitis essentials, Justin Morgenstern on the PATCH trial - Prehospital TXA in Trauma, Christina Shenvi on Prevention and Treatment of Delirium, Jason Hine on Procedural Skills Decay, Aaron Billin on Altitude Sickness... Please support EM Cases with a donation: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

I had the enormous honour of interviewing Dr. Ben McKenzie, EM physician and a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne studying the topic of resuscitation algorithms in anaphylaxis and asthma. The tragic death of his son Ben McKenzie at the age 15 from hypoxic respiratory arrest as a result of anaphylaxis and asthma in 2021 has led Dr. McKenzie on a mission to prevent deaths from anaphylaxis and asthma by educating emergency providers around the world using his AMAX4 algorithm as a framework... Please support EM Cases with a donation: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

On this month's EM Quick Hits podcast: Anand Swaminathan on the role of methylene blue in septic shock, Nour Khatib on jaw dislocation reduction techniques, Hans Rosenberg on a phenotypic approach to Crohn's disease emergencies, Gil Yehudaiff on evidence based analgesics in renal colic, Brit Long on the importance of inhaled steroids for asthma, and Andrew Petrosoniak on the "lethal diamond" in polytrauma patients and the current state of hypocalcemia in bleeding trauma patients... Please support EM Cases with a donation: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/

In this part 2 of our 2-part podcast series on dental emergencies we cover traumatic dental emergencies. Dental trauma is common and often associated with facial trauma. In this episode Dr. Chris Nash and Dr. Richard Ngo answer questions like: at what age is it safe to attempt reimplantation of an avulsed tooth in the ED? What are the 3 most time-sensitive dental trauma emergencies? When is Panorex X-ray or CT indicated in dental trauma? What is the preferred solution to transport an avulsed tooth in? What are 3 dental splinting methods we should consider for dental subluxations and avulsions? How should we handle an avulsed tooth to maximize the chances of a successful reimplantation? When are antibiotics indicated after dental trauma? What role does chlorhexidine rinses play in preventing infection after dental trauma? What are the recommended first and second line treatments for persistent dental hemorrhage? and many more...

In this Part 1 of our 2-part podcast series on dental emergencies, with the help of Dr. Chris Nash and Dr. Richard Ngo, we tackle these atraumatic dental emergencies: infections ranging from dental caries to pulpitis and gingivitis to dental abscess, cellulitis and deep space infection, as well as acute necrotizing gingivitis, pericoronitis and dry socket. These all have specific clinical characteristics and require specific management...

On this month's EM Quick Hits podcast David Carr on differential diagnosis of normal unenhanced CT renal colic, Leeor Sommer on recognition and management of perichondritis and auricular abscess, Suzanne Schuh on IV magnesium sulphate for pediatric asthma, Jess McLaren on Occlusion MI ECG interpretation requiring cath lab activation and Justin Morgenstern on update on steroids for pneumonia... Please support EM Cases with a donation: https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/