Emergency Medicine Topics
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The Great Mimicker: Thyroid Emergencies
Thyroid disease is relatively common, but most often is a benign disease with little clinical significance in the emergency setting. However, even a small insult can disrupt this system and throw the regulation out of control, resulting in the secretion of too much or too little thyroid hormone. Both of these situations can result in the thyroid emergencies thyroid storm and myxedema coma.
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Penetrating Chest Injury
Penetrating trauma of the chest can have severe and devastating consequences. Advances in ultrasound and treatment therapies have improved survival. A high degree of suspicion is indicated to identify the more subtle injuries associated with penetrating trauma to the chest.
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Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Skin and soft tissue infections are encountered commonly in the emergency department, presenting as a range of disorders, from uncomplicated cellulitis, impetigo, folliculitis, erysipelas, and focal abscesses to necrotizing fasciitis.
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Sudden Onset Headache
This article will outline the presentation of sudden onset headache in the ED, with a focus on important history and physical examination findings, associated differential diagnoses, and the appropriate workup and treatment of each condition.
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Updates on Zika Virus Disease
Zika virus disease is a global issue. While not technically an emergency, concerned patients will come to our departments seeking advice and diagnostic testing.
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Systolic and Diastolic Heart Failure
Acute decompensated heart failure is a serious condition that presents in the emergency department and the intensive care unit. The causes of heart failure are multifactorial, making it, at times, difficult to diagnose and treat.
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Penetrating Neck Trauma
Penetrating neck trauma presents a clinical challenge to the emergency physician. Clinicians must have a planned approach to these patients to optimize outcomes.
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Evaluation and Management of Seizures in the Emergency Department
Seizures are a common complaint in both children and adults presenting to the emergency department. Seizures may stop prior to physician evaluation, may be ongoing upon presentation, or may occur after the patient is brought to the ED. Patients may be experiencing a seizure for the first time in their lives or may be suffering from chronic epilepsy.
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Non-Traumatic Ocular Emergencies
Evaluating eye-related complaints in the ED requires a good understanding of the anatomy and potential implications of failure to treat. Although most ED presentations are nonemergent, it is important that the emergency physician identify the emergent presentations and manage them promptly to prevent potential vision loss.
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Evaluation and Management of Abscesses in the Emergency Department
This article reviews the current management options for simple cutaneous abscesses in patients, including review of the epidemiology, differential diagnosis, diagnostic studies, and changing practice of wound cultures and antibiotic therapy.