emergency medicine neurology: Recent Episodes
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The decision of whether or not to order a CT head for an older patient who falls is one I need to make on almost every shift. The Canadian CT Head Rule does not apply to older patients. Does the recently derived Falls Decision Rule give us an answer to the question of which older patients can safely forego a CT head after a fall? Dr. Rohit Mohindra reviews the latest evidence in this EM Cases Journal Club...
The post Journal Club 6 Which Older Patients Can Safely Forgo CT Head After a Fall? The Falls Decision Rule appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
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...
The post Ep 195 Management of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
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...
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The post Ep 195 ED Management of Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
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...
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The post Ep 194 Subarachnoid Hemorrhage – Recognition, Workup and Diagnosis Deep Dive appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
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/
The post EM Quick Hits 55 – Induction Agents, Gabapentinoids, Neuroprotective Intubation, Approach to Paresthesias, Preventing Burnout appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
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...
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The post EM Quick Hits 53 Postpartum Hemorrhage, Serotonin Syndrome, TBI Herniation Syndromes, Ulcerative Colitis, Pediatric C-Spine Immobilization, Global EM appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
On this month's EM Quick HIts podcast: Anand Swaminathan on EVT for large vessel occlusion strokes, Sarah Reid on picking up intussusception, Andrew Petrosoniak on 5 Penetrating Trauma Tips, Peter Toth on using a slit lamp to manage skin foreign body hack, Nour Khatib and Jonathan Wallace on CT Radiation Risk and Matt Poyner on setting up an emergency fund...
The post EM Quick Hits 49 Stroke Management Update, Intussusception, 5 Penetrating Trauma Tips, Skin Foreign Body Hack, CT Radiation Risk, Emergency Fund appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this episode, Dr. Roy Baskind and Dr. Ahmit Shah answer such questions as: when is an opening pressure on LP required? When should we pull the trigger on ordering a CT venogram in the patient with unexplained headache? Which older patients who present with headache require an ESR/CRP? How do the presentations of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) compare and contrast? When is it safe to start steroids in the ED for patients suspected of giant cell arteritis (GCA); will starting steroids affect the accuracy of a temporal artery biopsy? How soon should patients suspected of GCA get a temporal artery biopsy? When should we consider posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and pituitary apoplexy in the peripartum patient? How should we think about the differential diagnosis of vascular headaches? and many more...
The post Ep181 Cerebral Venous Thrombosis, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Giant Cell Arteritis and Peripartum Headaches appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this EM Quick Hits podcast: Justin Hensley and Aaron Billin on Wilderness Medicine, Elisha Targonsky on Bowel Prep Hyponatremia, Brit Long on Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus, Andrew Petrosoniak on Morel Lavallee Lesions, Jesse McLaren on Pacemaker ECGs and Matt Poyner on paying off loans vs investing... https://emergencymedicinecases.com/donation/
The post EM Quick Hits 46 – Wilderness Medicine, Bowel Prep Hyponatremia, Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus, Morel Lavallee Lesions, Pacemaker ECGs, Loans vs Investing appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this EM Quick Hits podcast: Anand Swaminathan on limitations and practical tips on intraosseus access,Tahara Bhate QI corner on missed ectopic pregnancy, Sarah Reid from EM Cases Summit on oxygen saturation monitoring in bronchiolitis and management of infant gastro-esophageal reflux, Brit Long on the value of rectal exam in diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome, Hans Rosenberg & Ariel Hendin on withdrawal of life-sustaining care in the ED...
The post EM Quick Hits 41 – IO Limitations, Missed Ectopic Pregnancy, Bronchiolitis O2 Monitoring, DRE in Cauda Equina Syndrome, Withdrawal of Life Sustaining Care appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this month's EM Quick Hits podcast: Anand Swaminathan on GI balloon tamponade preparation and indications, Jesse McLaren on why troponin is rarely useful in SVT, Christina Shenvi on why we should not use the term "mechanical fall" in older patients, Nour Khatib & Jonathan Wallace on rural vertical vertigo case and Reuben Strayer on VAFEI - Video-Assisted Flexible Endoscopic Intubation for the anatomically challenging airway...
The post EM Quick Hits 40 – GI Balloon Tamponade, SVT and Troponin, Falls in Older Patients, Vertical Vertigo, VAFEI Airway appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this month's EM Quick Hits podcast: Brit Long on Surving Sepsis Campaign -2021 Updates, Nour Khatib on rural medicine case - angle closure glaucoma, Reuben Strayer on bougie vs endotracheal tube and stylet on first-attempt intubation, Justin Hensley on management of frostbite, Sarah Foohey on the hot and altered patient, and Andrew Petrosoniak on central cord syndrome...
The post EM Quick Hits 36 – Surviving Sepsis, Angle Closure Glaucoma, Bougies, Frostbite, Hot/Altered Patient, Central Cord Syndrome appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this Part 1 or our two part podcast series on Red Flag Headaches we discuss a general approach, tips and tricks to assessing patients who present with headache followed by a deep dive into cervical artery dissections. With the help of Dr. Roy Baskind and Dr. Amit Shah we answers questions such as: what are the big 4 headache diagnoses that are not routinely picked up on plain CT or LP? Why are the symptoms of cervical artery dissection often fluctuating? Why do the symptoms of cervical artery dissection sometimes seem to not fit an anatomical distribution? What are the key clinical features that would trigger you to suspect cervical artery dissection? How do you decide which patients require a CT angiogram? What is the evidence for a causal relationship between chiropractic manipulation and cervical artery dissections? What is evidence for antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants and thrombolysis in the management of cervical artery dissection? Which patients with cervical artery dissection can be safely discharged from the ED and many more...
The post Ep 161 Red Flag Headaches: General Approach and Cervical Artery Dissections appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this month's EM Quick Hits podcast, Anand Swaminathan on tips and tricks in polytrauma, Rohit Mohindra on diagnosis and management of toxic megacolon, Jesse McLaren on ECG in pulmonary embolism, Victoria Myers on approach to the patch call for cardiac arrest, Brit Long on when to do a CT head before LP, Salim Rezaie on nebulized ketamine - the ketaBAN study...
The post EM Quick Hits 33 Polytrauma Tips & Tricks, Toxic Megacolon, ECG in PE, Patch Calls, CT Before LP, Nebulized Ketamine appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
There is a long list of rare neuromuscular diseases. Nonetheless, there are a few that you are likely to see in the ED, that are relevant to Emergency Medicine because they require timely diagnosis and treatment. In this Part 2 of our 2-part series on acute motor weakness with Roy Baskind and George Porfiris, we keep it short and simple by limiting our discussion to the key clinical clues and management strategies of two of the more common acute life-threatening neuromuscular diseases, myasthenia gravis and Guillain Barré syndrome, and how to distinguish them from their mimics...
The post Ep157 Neuromuscular Disease for Emergency Medicine appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this Part 1 of our 2-part podcast on Acute Motor Weakness we introduce a five step approach to acute motor weakness with Dr. Roy Baskind Dr. George Porfiris: 1. Does the complaint of weakness represent a true loss of motor power? 2. The geography of weakness - patterns of motor power loss 3. Timing, course and fatigability of acute motor weakness 4. Distinguish upper versus lower motor neuron weakness by degree and speed of movement 5. Differentiate the types of lower motor neuron lesions - peripheral neuropathy vs neuromuscular junction vs myopathy, as well as review the indication for endotracheal intubation for the patient with neuromuscular weakness...
The post Ep156 ED Approach to Acute Motor Weakness appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this month's EM Quick Hits podcast we have Salim Rezaie on clinical probability adjusted D-dimer for pulmonary embolism, Bourke Tillmann on ARDS for the ED Part 2, Brit Long & Michael Gottlieb on pharyngitis mimics, Justin Hensley on the many faces of barotrauma, Hans Rosenberg & Peter Johns on assessment of continuous vertigo and Justin Morgenstern & Jeannette Wolfe on gender-based differences in CPR...
The post EM Quick Hits 23 – Clinical Probability Adjusted D-dimer, ARDS Part 2, Pharyngitis Mimics, Barotrauma, Vertigo, CPR Gender-Based Differences appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this month's EM Quick Hits podcast, Anand Swaminathan on postpartum hemorrhage, Justin Morgenstern on phenobarbital in pediatric status epilepticus, Michelle Klaiman on managed alcohol programs, Andrew Petrosoniak on traumatic cardiac arrest, Brit Long on cholangitis pearls and pitfalls and Bourke Tillman on ED approach to ARDS...
The post EM Quick Hits 22 Postpartum Hemorrhage, Phenobarbital in Status Epilepticus, Managed Alcohol Programs, Traumatic Cardiac Arrest, Cholangitis, ED Approach to ARDS appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Anand Swaminathan on airway management in angioedema, Jeff Perry on Ottawa subarachnoid hemorrhage rule and 6hr CT rule, Hania Bielawska on ED breastfeeding myths and misconceptions, Brit Long on neurologic associations with COVID-19, Justin Hensley on management of spider bites and Hans Rosenberg & Heather Murray on management of skin abscesses...
The post EM Quick Hits 19 Angioedema, SAH Decision Tool, Breastfeeding Myths, COVID-19 Neurology, Spider Bites, Skin Abscess Management appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Anand Swaminathan on recognition and ED management of adrenal crisis, Maria Ivankovic on indications for antibiotics in strep throat from EM Cases Course 2020, Jesse McLaren on recognition of posterior MI from ECG Cases, Justin Yan & Hans Rosenberg on just the facts of approach to DKA, Brit Long on ovarian torsion imaging myths, Walter Himmel on how to use the HINTS exam properly, and Ian Stiell on how to use Canadian CT head rules properly...
The post EM Quick Hits 17 Adrenal Crisis, Strep Throat, Posterior MI, DKA Just the Facts, Ovarian Torsion Imaging, HINTS Exam, Canadian CT Head Rule appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Among the presentations seen in the ED, few command the same respect as status epilepticus. It is, in itself, both a diagnostic dilemma and, at times, a therapeutic nightmare. There’s a reason it’s the very first domino to fall in the dreaded sequence “seizure, coma, death”. Status epilepticus can be nuanced to manage. Sure, most seizures self-abort or love an IV dose of lorazepam, but ask anyone who’s been down the propofol route, and they’re not likely to have forgotten the time they stared down a patient who just...would...not....stop...
The post Ep 133 Emergency Management of Status Epilepticus appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this EM Quick Hits podcast we have Emily Austin on physostigmine for anticholinergic toxidrome, Walter Himmel on understanding nystagmus to differentiate central vs peripheral causes of vertigo, Rob Devins on the role of transesophageal echocardiogram in cardiac arrest, Jesse MacLaren on nuances in inferior MI ECG changes and aVL, Andrew Petrosoniak on a practical approach to blunt cerebrovascular injury and Reuben Strayer on choicebo...
The post EM Quick Hits 11 Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury, Physostigmine, TEE in Cardiac Arrest, Understanding Nystagmus, Subtle Inferior MI, Choicebo appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
What is the essential list of immediate life threats with specific antidotes that we must know for the ED patient with a seizure? What are the key elements for distinguishing a true seizure from syncope? From Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizure (PNES)? From TIA? From migraine? How do you distinguish Todd's Paralysis from TIA or stroke? What are indications for lactate and troponins in patients who present with a seizure? Do all patients with first time unprovoked seizures require anti-seizure medication in the ED? What is the preferred anti-seizure medication and route for ED loading for the patient with a first time seizure? Which patients who present with seizure require a CT head in the ED? What are indications and ideal timing for EEG for patient who present to the ED with seizure? and many more...
The post Ep 132 Emergency Approach to Resolved Seizures appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
We are kicking off the 2019 EMU365 with Dr. David Carr presenting his pearls in TIA diagnosis, workup and management: respect the eyes, look for the Crochetage sign on ECG, urgent head and neck imaging and dual antiplatelet agents for high risk patients…
The post EMU365 TIA in Ten Minutes with David Carr appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Anand Swaminathan on a simple approach to status epilepticus, David Juurlink on codeine and tramadol interactions: nasty drugs with nastier drug interactions, Brit Long on DOACS in patients with malignancy: which patient's with cancer can be safely prescribed DOACs? Ian Stiell on atrial fibrillation rate vs rhythm control controversy, Justin Morgenstern on peripheral vasopressors: safe or unsafe? Michelle Klaiman, Taryn Lloyd on motivational interviewing that makes a difference to patient's lives...
The post EM Quick Hits 7 Approach to Status Epilepticus, Codeine Interactions, Anticoagulation in Malignancy, Atrial Fibrillation Rate vs Rhythm Control, Peripheral Vasopressors, Motivational Interviewing appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this EM Quick Hits episode: Andrew Petrosoniak on diagnosis and risk stratification of blunt cardiac trauma, Clare Atzema on latest guidelines for anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation, Maria Ivankovic on hydromorphone vs morphine for acute pain, Brit Long on clinical pearls in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, Anand Swaminathan on venous access tips and tricks, and bonus material from EM Cases Course June 2018 with Walter Himmel and Barbara Tatham on Physician Compassion and tools to prevent burnout...
The post EM Quick Hits 6 Blunt Cardiac Trauma, Atrial Fibrillation Anticoagulation, Hydromorphone vs Morphine, Myasthenia Gravis, Venous Access appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this EM Cases main episode podcast, a follow up to our episode on TIA released in November 2018 with Walter Himmel and David Dushenski, we’ll try to simplify the confusing time-based and brain tissue-based options for stroke management. We’ll answer the questions that have been plaguing us for a while now: Which patients are eligible for endovascular therapies? Which patients are the ones who’ll benefit from these therapies and how do we make that happen in our different practice environments? Which patients should be considered for lytic therapy? Which patients should be considered for both lytic and endovascular therapy? and many more...
The post Ep 120 ED Stroke Management in the Age of Endovascular Therapy appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
This EMU 365 video features Dr. Sean Caine on Headache Nightmares - the Big 5 diagnoses that aren't always picked up with the old plain CT-LP algorithm...
The post EMU 365 Headache Nightmares with Sean Caine appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Much has changed in recent years when it comes to TIA risk stratification, workup and antiplatelet therapy. In this podcast we use the overarching theme of timing to elucidate how to distinguish true TIA from the common TIA mimics, the importance of timing in the workup of TIA, why the duration of therapy with dual antiplatelet therapy and timing of starting anticoagulation in patient with atrial fibrillation, contributes to the difference between preventing catastrophic strokes and causing intracranial hemorrhage...
The post Ep 117 TIA Update – Risk Stratification, Workup and Dual Antiplatelet Therapy appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this EM Cases CritCases blog - a collaboration between STARS Air Ambulance Service, Mike Betzner and EM Cases, a middle aged woman presents to a rural ED with headache and vomiting, normal vital signs with subsequent status epilepticus and serum sodium of 110 mmol/L. What management recommendations would you make to the rural ED physician, the transport team and in your ED with regards to treatment of seizures, safe correction of hyponatremia, airway management, search for underlying cause and prevention of Osmotic Demyelenation Syndrome?
The post CritCases 10 Hyponatremia Associated Seizures appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this POCUS Cases 3 - Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension & Ocular POCUS, Dr. Simard explains the limitations of CT head in the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, how to identify papilledema on ocular POCUS, how to measure Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter (ONSD) on POCUS and the limitations of ONSD on ocular POCUS.
The post POCUS Cases 3 Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Ocular POCUS appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
There exists a kind of self-fulfilling prognostic pessimism when it comes to ICH. And this pessimism sometimes leads to less than optimal care in patients who otherwise might have had a reasonably good outcome if they were managed aggressively. Despite the poor prognosis of these patients overall, there is some evidence to suggest that early aggressive medical management may improve outcomes. As such, the skill with which you manage your patient with ICH in those first few hours could be the most important determinant of their outcome. In this Golden Hour you have a chance to prevent hematoma expansion, stabilize intracerebral perfusion and give your patient the best chance of survival with neurologic recovery.
The post Ep 104 Emergency Management of Intracerebral Hemorrhage – The Golden Hour appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
North York General Hospital's 30th Annual Emergency Medicine Update (EMU) Conference 2017 featured some of the best talks I've ever heard from the likes of Sara Gray, Amal Mattu, David Carr and many more. I had a hard time choosing which talks to feature on this EM Cases podcast. I settled on a potpourri of clinical topics and practice tips: Leeor Sommer on Lyme disease, Chris Hicks on signover, Matt Poyner on patient complaints and Walter Himmel on acute vestibular syndrome...
The post Episode 99 Highlights from EMU 2017 appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
The EM Cases Rapid Reviews Videos library is growing! You might have had trouble remembering all the details of Episode 6 on TIA from a few years back with Walter Himmel and Daniel Selchen. But don't fret! In these short videos Eileen Cheung reviews the differential diagnosis of a TIA and its key features, the 4 types of TIA, the 4 key ED investigations for a TIA, the acute ED management of a TIA, risk-stratification and disposition decision in TIA and lastly as a special bonus, an approach to vertigo...
The post New Rapid Reviews Videos on TIA appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this CritCases blog - a collaboration between STARS Air Ambulance Service, Mike Betzner and EM Cases, we take you through a not uncommon stroke presentation which then develops into a challenge with regard to management of elevated ICP, hypertension and the airway...
The post CritCases 8 Management of Elevated ICP appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this part 2 of EM Cases Journal Jam podcast on Thrombolysis and Endovascular Therapy for Stroke Justin Morgenstern, Rory Spiegel and Anton Helman do a deep dive into the world's literature on endovascular therapy for stroke. While the evidence for endovascular therapy is stronger than that for IV systemic thrombolysis for stroke outcomes at 90 days, a closer look at the literature reveals that a very small minority of patients are eligible for endovascular therapy and we still don't know which patients benefit most from endovascular therapy...
The post Journal Jam 10 Part 2 Endovascular Therapy for Stroke appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this two part EM Cases Journal Jam podcast Justin Morgenstern, Rory Spiegel and Anton Helman do a deep dive into the world's literature on systemic thrombolysis for ischemic stroke followed by an analysis of endovascular therapy for stroke. We elucidate the important issues related to p-values, ordinal analysis, fragility index, heterogeneity of studies, stopping trials early and conflicts of interest related to this body of evidence. While "calling a code stroke" is now considered standard for most stroke patients and tPA for stroke is considered a class 1A drug, a close look at the literature tells us that the evidence is not as strong as our stroke protocols suggest...
The post Journal Jam 10 Thrombolysis & Endovascular Therapy for Stroke Part 1 appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In anticipation of the upcoming EM Cases main episode on Pediatric Polytrauma Dr. Suzanne Beno, Co-director of the Trauma Program at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, tells her Best Case Ever of a child who suffers a severe traumatic head injury with signs of raised intracranial pressure and cerebral herniation. She discusses the importance of being vigilant when presented with classic patterns of injury, the use of hypertonic saline, crisis resource management and shared decision making with consultants...
The post Best Case Ever 55 Pediatric Cerebral Herniation appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this Part 2, DOACs Bleeding and Reversal we discuss the management of bleeding in patients taking DOACs with minor risk bleeds, like epistaxis where local control is easy to access, moderate risk bleeds, like stable GI bleeds and high risk bleeds, like intracranial hemorrhage. We answer questions such as: How do we weigh the risks and benefits of stopping the DOAC? When is reversal of the DOAC is advised? How best do we accomplish the reversal of DOACs? Is there any good evidence for the newest reversal agent? When should we stop DOACs for different procedures, and when should we delay the procedure?
The post Episode 89 – DOACs Part 2: Bleeding and Reversal Agents appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In anticipation of EM Cases Episode 87 on Alcohol Withdrawal Dr. Sara Gray describes her Best Case Ever of severe alcohol withdrawal and Delirium Tremens from Janus General.
Also on this podcast Dr. Anand Swaminathan reacts to Episode 86 Emergency Management of Hyperkalemia and discusses the use of calcium in the setting of digoxin toxicity.
Early recognition and treatment of Delirium Tremens - a rapid onset of severe alcohol withdrawal accompanied by delirium and autonomic instability about 3-10 days after the appearance of withdrawal symptoms - is key to preventing long term morbidity and mortality...
The post Best Case Ever 50 – Delirium Tremens appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Psychiatric chief complaints comprise about 6 or 7% of all ED visits, with the numbers of psychiatric patients we see increasing every year. The ED serves as both the lifeline and the gateway to psychiatric care for millions of patients suffering from acute behavioural or psychiatric emergencies. As ED docs, besides assessing the risk of suicide and homicide, one of the most important jobs we have is to determine whether the patient’s psychiatric or behavioral emergency is the result of an organic disease process, as opposed to a psychological one. There is no standard process for this. With the main objective in mind of picking up and appropriately managing organic disease while improving flow, decreasing cost and maintaining good relationships with our psychiatry colleagues, we have Dr. Howard Ovens, Dr. Brian Steinhart and Dr. Ian Dawe discuss this controversial topic...
The post Episode 85 – Medical Clearance of the Psychiatric Patient appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Pediatric seizures are common. So common that about 5% of all children will have a seizure by the time they’re 16 years old. If any of you have been parents of a child who suddenly starts seizing, you’ll know intimately how terrifying it can be.
While most of the kids who present to the ED with a seizure will end up being diagnosed with a benign simple febrile seizure, some kids will suffer from complex febrile seizures, requiring some more thought, work-up and management, while others will have afebrile seizures which are a whole other kettle of fish. We need to know how to differentiate these entities, how to work-them up and how to manage them in the ED. At the other end of the spectrum of disease there is status epilepticus – a true emergency with a scary mortality rate - where you need to act fast and know your algorithms like the back of your hand. This topic was chosen based on a nation-wide needs assessment study conducted by TREKK (Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids), a collaborator with EM Cases.
With the help of two of Canada’s Pediatric Emergency Medicine seizure experts hand picked by TREKK, Dr. Lawrence Richer and Dr. Angelo Mikrogianakis, we’ll give you the all the tools you need to approach the child who presents to the ED with seizure with the utmost confidence.
The post Episode 73 Emergency Management of Pediatric Seizures appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Dr. David Carr presents his third of EM Cases' Carr's Cases. This series features potentially debilitating diagnoses that may be thought of as 'zebras', but actually have a higher incidence then we might think - and if diagnosed early, can significantly effect patient outcomes. Dr. Carr tells the story of young woman with an MRSA supra pateller abscess who was put on trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole and presents looking very ill with a severe headache.
Not only has trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole been implicated in aseptic meningitis, but NSAIDS, immunomodulators and antibiotics have also been implicated. The reason this is so important for ED practitioners to know, is that case reports of drug-induced aseptic meningitis have shown that symptoms will resolve completely within 24 hours, once the offending drug has been stopped. Not only that, but if the patient receives the drug again in the future, they are at risk for a more severe case of drug induced aseptic meningitis.
The post Best Case Ever 29: Drug Induced Aseptic Meningitis appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Dr. David Carr presents his second of Carr's Cases. This series features some potentially life-threatening diagnoses that may be perceived as zebras, but actually have a higher incidence then we might think - and if diagnosed early, can significantly effect patient outcomes. This Best Case Ever is about Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis, a diagnosis that was only discovered in 2005, and has only recently been recognized by the Emergency Medicine community. Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis may mimic a first presentation of schizophrenia or Neuraleptic Malignant Syndrome. It may present with seizure, altered mental status, autonomic instability or movement disorder in the absence of drug exposure. When you are faced with any of these presentations and no other diagnosis seems to fit, do an LP and send the CSF for anti-NMDA receptor antibodies. The time-sensitive treatment is IVIG and steroids. Anti-NMDA receptor Encephalitis is a must know diagnosis for all emergency medicine practitioners. Learn how to pick up this important diagnosis by listening to Dr. Carr's Best Case Ever and following the links to further resources.
The post Best Case Ever 28: Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Dr. Walter Himmel (the 'walking encyclopedia of EM') gave a fantastic talk from North York General's Emergency Medicine Update Conference in Toronto, which have edited into a podcast with key commentary and summaries. Dr. Himmel eloquently shows us, through absolutely stunning personal cases, how evidence based medicine can be appropriately or inappropriately applied in real practice, resulting in major outcome differences for your patients. He elucidates the importance of clinical experience, patient values and ED resources in helping apply the medical literature to your practice. He reviews the essence of critical appraisal, the hierarchy of evidence and how to keep up with the emergency medicine literature. The famous NINDS thrombolysis for stroke trial is distilled down to a few key considerations and the NEJM transfusion for upper GI bleed trial from last year is dissected, analyzed and then applied to Dr. Himmel's personal cases, to help us understand exactly how to apply the literature to our daily practice.
Blog post and written summary prepared by Keerat Grewal, edited by Anton Helman July 2014
The post Episode 47: Evidence Based Medicine from NYGH EMU Conference 2014 appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
This past May in Toronto, the largest and, in my opinion, best Canadian EM conference, North York General Hospital's Emergency Medicine Update Conference, attracted 'Captain Cortex' himself, Stuart Swadron, a Toronto native to talk about his approach to vertigo, which highlights how not to miss a posterior circulation stroke. For the seventh year running the EMU conference was proud to have one of the worlds most well known EM educators, Amal Mattu who presented the most important Cardiology Literature from the past year. This podcast includes edited versions of their talks with commentary and summaries.
The post Episode 45: NYGH EM Update Conference 2014 appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this episode on Whistler's Update in Emergency Medicine Conference 2014 Highlights we have... Chapter 1 with David Carr on his approach to Shock, including the RUSH protocol, followed by a discussion on Thrombolysis for Submassive Pulmonary Embolism.... Then in Chapter 2 Lisa Thurgur presents a series of Toxicology Cases packed with pearls, pitfalls and surprises and reviews the use of Lipid Emulsion Therapy in toxicology....Finally in Chapter 3 Joel Yaphe reviews the most important articles from 2013 including the Targeted Temperature Managment post-arrest paper, the use of Tranexamic Acid for epistaxis, return to play concussion guidelines and clinical decision rules for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Another Whistler's Update in Emergency Medicine Conference to remember.......
The post Episode 44 – Whistler Update in Emergency Medicine Conference 2014 appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In the first of our series on Best Case Ever of 'Carr's Cases' we have, the legend himself, Dr. David Carr. This series will run on the theme of interesting diagnoses that we don't think of too often, but that are not as rare as we might think and can make a significant difference to your patient's outcome if you pick up on them early - and maybe even make you look as smart as David! Dr. Carr will be highlighted in our upcoming episode on Whistler's Update in EM Conference highlights 2014 when he will be speaking about his approach to the shocky patient as well as the controversial management of submassive pulmonary embolism. He will be featured along with Dr. Lisa Thurgur speaking about lipid emulsion therapy and other toxicologic goodies and Joel Yaphe will give us his take on the best of the EM literature from 2013 including the TTM trial, tranexamic acid for epistaxis, return to sport after concussion guidelines and more. Please go to the 'Next Time on EM Cases' page to submit your question about these topics.
The post Best Case Ever 22: Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus (NCSE) appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In the second part of this epic 2-part authoritative episode, Anticoagulants, PCCs & Platelets, we have Dr. Walter Himmel (also known as 'The walking encyclopedia of EM') along with Dr. Katerina Pavenski (Head of Transfusion Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital) & Dr. Jeannie Callum (Head of Transfusion Medicine at Sunnybrook Hospital) who will discuss the latest on comparative efficacy and reversal of Warfarin vs Dabigatran vs Rivaroxiban vs Abixaban, the use of prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs), the ins and outs of thrombocytopenia & platelet transfusions, ITP, TTP, anti-platelet associated intracranial bleeds, indications for Tranexamic Acid & more...
The post Episode 37: Anticoagulants, PCCs and Platelets appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this episode Dr. Don Melady, Canada's leading educator in Geriatric Emergency Medicine (Geri-EM) & Dr. Jaques Lee, one of Canada's leading researchers in Geri-EM, discuss the common yet challenging Geriatric Emergencies: a practical approach to geriatric Delirium, best practice for managing agitation and pain in the older patient, management of recurrent falls, pearls in the assessment of the 'Weak & Dizzy' geriatric patient, atypical presentations of common life threatening emergencies including ACS and surgical abdomen, key drug interactions in the geriatric patient and more..
The post Episode 34: Geriatric Emergency Medicine appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
As a bonus to Episode 34 on Geriatric Emergency Medicine, Dr. Don Melady, one of Canada's leading educators in Geriatric EM, tells us about his Best Case Ever in which a simple fall turns out to be a multi-facited complicated case with a simple solution.
In the related Episode 34 on Geriatric Emergency Medicine Dr. Melady and Dr. Jacques Lee cover an approach to geriatric Delirium, managing agitation, indications for CT head in the delirious older person, management of recurrent falls, pearls in the assessment of the 'Weak & Dizzy' geriatric patient, key drug interactions, pain management, atypical ACS and pearls in Geriatric abdominal pain presentations.
The post Best Case Ever 17: Geriatric Emergency Medicine appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In this episode, Dr. Jordan Chenkin & Dr. Jamie Blicker discuss positioning, landmarking, and best technique for lumbar puncture, how to minimize post-LP headache and traumatic taps, as well as when CT head is not required prior to LP. They discuss the indications, contraindications, trouble-shooting and pros and cons of needle aspiration, small bore pleural catheter with Heimlich valve and large bore chest tube for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. Dr. Chenkin presents an intriguing argument for why he uses ultrasound-guided fracture reduction routinely in the ED, and we end with a few tips and tricks using skin adhesive for some unorthodox indications.
The post Episode 31: LP, Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Ultrasound Guided Fracture Reduction appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Dr. David Carr, the past author of Tintinalli's chapter on occlusive arterial disease, tells us his Best Case Ever related to Aortic Dissection.
In the related Episode 28: Aortic Dissection, Acute Limb Ischemia & Compartment Syndrome, we discuss the breadth of presentations and key diagnostic clues of Aortic Dissection. We review the value of ECG, CXR, biomarkers and the use of Transesophageal Echo and CTA in this sometime elusive diagnosis. We debate lots of clinical pearls and pitfalls when it comes to acute limb ischemia, and end with a discussion on the trials and tribulations of Compartment Syndrome.
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In this episode we go through seven cases that display the breadth of presentations of limb or life threatening causes of low back pain emergencies with my huge mentors, Dr. Walter Himmel and Dr. Brian Steinhart. We cover everything from spinal epidural abscess to cauda equina syndrome to retroperitoneal bleeds, elucidating the key historical, physical exam, lab, imaging and treatment pearls for all of these diagnoses. We then go on to review the best management for the most common cause of back pain presentation, lumbosacral strain and debate the various medication options.
The post Episode 26: Low Back Pain Emergencies appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
As a bonus to Episode 26 on Low Back Pain Emergencies with Dr. Brian Steinhart & Dr. Walter Himmel, we have Dr. Walter Himmel's own personal incredible case of Cauda Equina Syndrome.
In the related Episode we will cover the most serious spinal and vascular causes that present with low back pain including Cauda Equina Syndrome, Spinal Epidural Abscess, Spinal Epidural Hematoma, Metastases to the spine, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Retroperitoneal Hematoma.
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The post Best Case Ever 11: Cauda Equina Syndrome appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In the 2nd part of this episode on Stroke, Dabigitran & Intracranial Hemorrhage Dr. Walter Himmel & Dr. Dan Selchen tell us everything the ED doc needs to know about the oral direct thrombin inhibitor Dabigatran and how to reverse a Dabigatran ICH. The ED treatment of stroke is reviewed including best medications and a simple way to remember BP goals. They review the management of ICH including BP goals, indications for neurosurgery, the role of recombinant Factor Vlla, and how best to reverse Warfarin-associated and platelet-associated ICH.
The post Episode 17 Part 2: Stroke, Dabigatran and Intracranial Hemorrhage appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
Ep17 P1 StrokeDr. Walter Himmel, "the walking encyclopedia of Emergency Medicine" & Dr. Dan Selchen, the head of the stroke program at St. Micheal's Hospital in Toronto with 30+ years of experience as a stroke neurologist, update us on the literature regarding Emergency Stroke Controversies including the ABCD2 Score to predict Stroke after TIA, as well as the current thinking around the best carotid imaging for patients who have had a TIA. They then review the important findings of the key thrombolysis stroke trials & how we could incorporate these findings into our daily practice. Dr. Selchen reviews the key CT findings we should look for in stroke, & Dr. Himmel takes us through how to manage the dreaded complication of ICH post thrombolysis. This episode is super controversial - so please 'speak your mind' at the bottom of the page.
The post Episode 17 Part 1: Emergency Stroke Controversies appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In association with Episode 14, 'Headache Pearls & Pitfalls' with Dr. Anil Chopra and Dr. Stella Yiu, we present here, the third of our new 5 minute 'Best Case Ever' series. In Episode 14: Headache Pearls & Pitfalls, which has just been released, Dr. Chopra and Dr. Yiu answer questions like: With the ever improving resolution of CT, should we still be doing LP after negative plain CT head for all our thunderclap headache patients? How can we best minimize the chance of post-LP headache? What evidenced-based treatments can we initiate in the ED for our SAH patients that will improve outcomes?
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The post Best Case Ever 3: Emergency Headache – Importance of Opening Pressure appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
emergency headacheIn Part 2 of this episode on Thunderclap Headache - Cerebral Venous Thrombosis & Cervical Artery Dissction, Dr. Stella Yiu and Dr. Anil Chopra review the presentation, work-up and management of some of the less common but very serious causes of headache including Cervical Artery Dissection (CAD), Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT) and Idopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH). They tell us the most effective ways in which we can minimize the chance of the common Post-LP Headache. They answer questions such as: How does a carotid artery dissection present compared to a vertebral artery dissection? What is the evidence for chiropractic neck manipulation as a cause for Cervical Artery Dissection? How do antiplatelets compare to heparin for the treatment of Cervical Artery Dissection? What is Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension? What is the differential diagnosis for headache in the peri-partum patient? Does D-dimer have a role in ruling out Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in the low risk patient? What is the imaging modality of choice for suspected Cerebral Venous Thrombosis? What is the value of opening pressure when performing an LP? What are the key headache diagnoses that can be missed on plain CT of the head and would warrant further investigation? and many more.....
The post Episode 14 Part 2: Thunderclap Headache – Cerebral Venous Thrombosis and Cervical Artery Dissection appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In Part 1 of this episode on Headache Pearls & Pitfalls - Migraine Headache & Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Dr. Anil Chopra and Dr. Stella Yiu discuss the best evidenced-based management of migraine headache in the ED including the use of dexamethasone, dopamine antagonists, the problems with narcotics and the efficacy of 'triptans'. An easy way to remember the worrisome symptoms of headache indicating a serious cause is reviewed followed by a detailed discussion of the pearls, pitfalls and controversies around the work-up of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) in light of some exciting recent literature, including the basis for a new Canadian decision rule for SAH.
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In part 2 of this episode Dr. Helman presents two more cases to Dr. Carr and Dr. Steinhart, who give us their insights into the common conundrums when it comes to the intoxicated ED patient, and some key clues to the not-so-common life threatening toxicological emergencies that we need to be on the look out for.
The post Episode 13 Part 2: Killer Coma Cases – The Intoxicated Patient appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In Part 1 of Killer Coma Cases - The Found Down Pateint, Dr. Helman presents two challenging cases to Dr. Brian Steinhart and Dr. David Carr, who tell us loads of key clinical pearls in their approaches to the 'found down' patient. They discuss the important components of the neurological exam in the comatose patient, the differential diagnosis of altered mental status and hyperthermia, the controversies around when to get a CT head before performing a lumbar puncture, and much more in this Killer Coma Cases episode. In Part 1 of this episode, we discuss the limitations of plain CT, the interpretation of CSF and the many faces of seizures. Any more information would be giving away the cases.....
The post Episode 13 Part 1: Killer Coma Cases – The Found Down Patient appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.
In relation to Episode 13 on The Found Down Patient with Dr. Brian Steinhart and Dr. David Carr, we present here, the second of our new 5 minute 'Best Case Ever' series.
Dr. Steinhart's found down patient
In Episode 13 The Found Down Patient, Dr. Helman presents 4 challenging cases of patients who present with altered mental status to Dr. Carr and Dr. Steinhart, who give us loads of key pearls and intriguing controversy in the evaluation and treatment of these difficult patients.
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Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) can be difficult to diagnose. It's unclear who to work up. It's challenging if the patient is already taking blood thinners. Dr. Walter Himmel and Dr. Daniel Selchen discuss the key historical and physical examination maneuvers to determine whether patients with neurologic complaints have had a TIA or whether they have had a TIA mimic. They review the 3 best risk stratification rules including the ABCD2 Score to help us determine who needs to be admitted and who needs timely investigations to reduce vascular morbidity and mortality. The reasoning behind which patients require urgent carotid imaging, echocardiograms and advanced imaging such as CT Angiogram is explained, and the best medication choices are reviewed, as well as the indications for Clopidogrel, Aggrenox, Warfarin, Heparin and carotid endarterectomy in the managment of Transient Ischemic Attack. In the second part of the episode, a simple and practical approach to the patient with dizziness is presented, and a discussion on which patients with dizziness need urgent work-up and treatment for vertebrobasilar TIA.
The post Episode 6: Transient Ischemic Attack appeared first on Emergency Medicine Cases.