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A 54-year-old female with facial swelling for one month who had repeatedly been treated for allergic reaction during multiple emergency department (ED) visits, presented to the ED for the same complaint of facial swelling. Maintaining a broad differential diagnosis was of critical importance to appropriately evaluating the patient and arriving at the correct conclusion for the etiology of the patient's symptoms. Upon establishing the correct diagnosis, a multidisciplinary approach was used to intervene to provide early treatment without delay.
A 24-year-old pregnant female presented to the emergency department with lower abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. A point-of-care ultrasound demonstrated a calcified yolk sac.
When identified, calcification of the yolk sac in the first trimester is a sign of fetal demise. It is important for an emergency physician to be aware of the various signs and findings on point-of-care ultrasound and be familiar with the management of these pathologies.
When identified, calcification of the yolk sac in the first trimester is a sign of fetal demise. It is important for an emergency physician to be aware of the various signs and findings on point-of-care ultrasound and be familiar with the management of these pathologies.
A 63-year-old female presented to the emergency department complaining of cough, neck swelling, dysphagia, and dysphonia for two days, with a past medical history of atrial fibrillation managed with warfarin. Investigations revealed a supratherapeutic international normalised ratio (greater than 10). Imaging and endoscopic examination showed an extensive retropharyngeal hematoma with significant mass effect on the airway.
A rare but potentially fatal complication of warfarin anticoagulation is upper airway hematoma, with violent coughing described as an inciting cause. Signs of airway compromise necessitate specialist consultation and definitive airway management, while mild cases without airway concerns can be managed conservatively with medical anticoagulation reversal.
A rare but potentially fatal complication of warfarin anticoagulation is upper airway hematoma, with violent coughing described as an inciting cause. Zolinza Signs of airway compromise necessitate specialist consultation and definitive airway management, while mild cases without airway concerns can be managed conservatively with medical anticoagulation reversal.
A 48-year-old-female presented to the emergency department with dislodgement of her percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube, necessitating bedside replacement. Replacement was done without difficulty and gastrografin radiography was obtained to confirm positioning. Radiography revealed contrast filling the colon at the splenic flexure and proximal descending colon suggestive of colocutaneous fistula formation.
The patient required hospitalization with surgical consultation, initiation of parenteral nutrition, and conservative management of the fistula with surgical replacement of the PEG tube. Although rare, it is paramount for the emergency physician to be aware of this complication when undertaking bedside replacement of PEG tubes.
The patient required hospitalization with surgical consultation, initiation of parenteral nutrition, and conservative management of the fistula with surgical replacement of the PEG tube. Although rare, it is paramount for the emergency physician to be aware of this complication when undertaking bedside replacement of PEG tubes.
A 61-year-old female presented to the emergency department with right upper quadrant abdominal pain following a cholecystectomy 18 days prior. Computed tomography (CT) of her abdomen demonstrated a large abscess in her post-hepatic fossa. She was admitted to the general surgery service and received an image-guided percutaneous drain placement with interventional radiology with immediate return of purulent material. She was discharged home after a three-day hospital course with outpatient antibiotics and follow-up.
Patients may have multiple complications following cholecystectomy, including infection, bleeding, biliary injury, bowel injury, or dropped stone. The emergency clinician must consider cholecystectomy complications including gallbladder fossa abscess in patients presenting with abdominal pain in the days to weeks following cholecystectomy, especially if they present with signs of sepsis. Critical actions include obtaining CT and/or ultrasonography, initiating broad spectrum antibiotics, and obtaining definitive source control by either surgery or interventional radiology.
Patients may have multiple complications following cholecystectomy, including infection, bleeding, biliary injury, bowel injury, or dropped stone. The emergency clinician must consider cholecystectomy complications including gallbladder fossa abscess in patients presenting with abdominal pain in the days to weeks following cholecystectomy, especially if they present with signs of sepsis. Critical actions include obtaining CT and/or ultrasonography, initiating broad spectrum antibiotics, and obtaining definitive source control by either surgery or interventional radiology.
A 77-year-old female presented to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain. Cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) was performed and demonstrated a hyperechoic structure on the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Admission to cardiology and echocardiogram revealed moderately decreased mobility of the posterior leaflet, mitral annular calcification, and severe mitral regurgitation.
These findings highlight the role of POCUS in identifying mitral valve pathology in the ED, ultimately leading to appropriate disposition and management. Mitral annular calcification can lead to significant manifestations including mitral stenosis or regurgitation, and advanced cases have been associated with an increased risk of infective endocarditis, thrombosis, and arrhythmia.
These findings highlight the role of POCUS in identifying mitral valve pathology in the ED, ultimately leading to appropriate disposition and management. Mitral annular calcification can lead to significant manifestations including mitral stenosis or regurgitation, and advanced cases have been associated with an increased risk of infective endocarditis, thrombosis, and arrhythmia.