Emergency Medical Minute

Author: Chris Holmes M.D. Educational Pearls: Mechanism of injury involves hyperextension/hyperflexion Pathophysiology: inside of the arteries in the neck becomes disrupted, similar to a dissection. This is thrombogenic and leads to cerebral infarction Neurologic deficit is common. Other risk factors include facial fracture and cervical-spine fracture. Treat with anticoagulation - aspirin or other...

Author:  Michael Hunt M.D. Dr. Hunt shares his wealth of experience with biological terrorism over the course of his career.

Author: Rachel Duncan, PharmD BCPS Educational Pearls: Toradol (Ketorolac) is an NSAID used for its anti-inflammatory properties In practice, the common dosages are 30mg IV or 60mg IM. Clinical concerns arise in patients with renal insufficiency or bleeding, but the risks are small (

Author:   Donald Stader M.D. Educational Pearls: Coffee originates from Ethiopia. Its "active ingredient" is caffeine. Caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid used in medicine to control headache and as a neonatal stimulant. Studies have shown that coffee may increase lifespan. Overdose can be encountered in those using diet pills or concentrated caffeine pills and is treated with dialysis. References: Ju...

Author: Peter Bakes M.D. Educational Pearls: Some common causes of monoarticular arthritis include: crystal arthropathies (gout and pseudogout), infection (septic joint), reactive arthritis and acute presentations of chronic arthritides. Lyme disease usually presents with a targetoid lesion associated with constitutional symptoms. The common triad of symptoms associated with reactive arthritis (ak...

Author: Gretchen Hinson M.D. Educational Pearls: The key imaging of a mumps patient is "chipmunk cheeks" or parotitis. The swelling can extend almost to the ears and can be extremely painful - in about 25% of cases the swelling is unilateral. Other organs can be involved as well including: testicles, ovaries, breast tissue, other salivary glands, and the brain/spinal cord. Mumps is transmitted thr...

Author: Aaron Lessen M.D. Educational Pearls: Regularly a patient's creatinine level is an important factor in determining whether a patient will receive IV contrast with a CT because it is thought that contrast can harm the kidneys and could worsen underlying kidney disease. A recent retrospective study compared the rates of worsening kidney problems between patients who received a CT scan with c...

Author: Peter Bakes M.D. Dr. Peter Bakes takes us through how he developed his interest in travel medicine as well as some of the more interesting aspects of the specialty.

Author: Peter Bakes Educational Pearls: The Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) is a neuronal synapse in skeletal muscle mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Paralytic agents, commonly used in the ED for intubation, include succinylcholine and rocuronium/vecuronium. Succinylcholine is a depolarizing paralytic while rocuronium is a non-depolarizing agent. A newly developed reversing agent, sugam...

There are many causes of syncope and a pulmonary embolism may be a commonly missed reason.

Electrolytes it's what your bodies crave.

What's the difference between an Aortic Dissection and an Aortic Aneurysm?

New information about concussion precautions for patients

A case presentation of an abnormal rhythm in a younger patient with Lupus.

Probably not what Def Leppard were thinking about when they wrote "Pour Some Sugar on Me".

Learning about football injuries may not make you a pro bowl player, but it can help you treat patients like one.

A discussion on the clinical features and testing for preeclampsia in the ER.

Are cervical collars disappearing? Probably not soon, but there are a few reasons why collars may not be as helpful as we think.

A few quick tips to help increase the success of defibrillating a patient in persistent ventricular fibrillation.

A permutation of the Cincinnati pre-hospital stroke scale to help EMS decide when to take patients to a comprehensive stroke center.

A unique disease with a bizarre presentation is discussed.

Learn about the dangers of synthetic marijuana and why it is a huge problem for emergency rooms.

What are the symptoms of Lyme and why is it becoming a more frequent occurrence in the New England and upper Midwest.

A case of neurogenic shock in patient with a GSW of the spine is discussed.

Some of the possible side effects of suppressing or completely removing the adrenal glands.