Intracranial lesions shown by CT scans in 259 cases of first alcohol-related seizures.

We obtained CTs in 259 patients with a first alcohol-related convulsion. Each subject had generalized convulsions, recent abstinence from alcohol abuse, and no obvious etiology for seizures other than alcohol withdrawal. Patients with only focal seizures, major head injury, coma, or a severe toxic-metabolic disorder were excluded. We recorded history and signs of minor head injury, presence of headache, level of consciousness, neurologic signs, routine medical examination findings, and subsequent clinical course. Sixteen patients (6.2%) had intracranial lesions on CT. Eight had subdural hematomas or hygromas, two had vascular malformations, two had neurocysticercosis, and one each showed a Berry aneurysm, possible tumor, skull fracture with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and probable cerebral infarction. In ten cases (3.9%), clinical management was altered because of the CT result. History or signs of minor head trauma, headache, level of consciousness, or focal neurologic signs did not significantly correlate with CT abnormality.

Initial evaluation of the patient with blunt abdominal trauma.

Unrecognized abdominal injury remains a distressingly frequent cause of preventable death following blunt trauma. Peritoneal signs are often subtle, overshadowed by pain from associated injury, and masked by head trauma or intoxicants. The initial management of the patient with blunt abdominal trauma should parallel the primary survey of airway, breathing, and circulation. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage remains the cornerstone of triage in patients with life-threatening blunt abdominal trauma. The only absolute contraindication to the procedure is an existing indication for laparotomy. Computed tomography is useful as a complementary diagnostic tool in selected patients, and it is the critical test for guiding nonoperative management of known intraperitoneal trauma. Routine ancillary tests for potentially occult injuries include nasogastric-tube placement for ruptures of the left diaphragm, Gastrografin contrast study for duodenum perforation, and pyelography for urologic injury. Ultrasonography may become a valuable tool in the initial assessment of the injured abdomen. Ultimately, the most important principle in the management of blunt abdominal trauma is repeat physical examination by an experienced surgeon.

1995-1996 SAEM emergency medicine faculty salary/benefits survey.

OBJECTIVE: The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) commissioned an emergency medicine (EM) faculty salary and benefit survey for all 1995 Residency Review Committee in Emergency Medicine (RRC-EM)-accredited programs using the SAEM third-generation survey instrument. Responses were collected by SAEM and blinded from the investigators. POPULATION: Seventy-six of 112 (68%) accredited programs responded, yielding data for 1,032 full-time faculty among the four Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) regions. METHODS: Blinded program and individual faculty data were entered into a customized version of Filemaker Pro, a relational database program with a built-in statistical package. Salary data were sorted by 115 separate criteria such as program regions, faculty title, American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) certification, academic rank, years postresidency, program size, and whether data were reported to AAMC. Demographic data from 132 categories were analyzed and included number of staff and residents per shift, number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds, obstacles to hiring new staff, and specific type and value of fringe benefits offered. Data were compared with those from the 1990 and 1992 SAEM and the 1995-96 AAMC studies. RESULTS: Mean salaries were reported as follows: all faculty, $158,100; first-year faculty, $131,074; programs reporting data to AAMC, $152,198; programs not reporting data to AAMC, $169,251. Mean salaries as reported by AAMC region: northeast, $155,909; south, $155,403; midwest, $172,260; west, $139,930. Mean salaries as reported by program financial source: community, $175,599; university, $152,878; municipal, $141,566. CONCLUSIONS: Reported salaries for full-time EM residency faculty continue to rise. Salaries in programs reporting data to the AAMC are considerably lower than those not reporting. The gap between ABEM-certified and non-ABEM-certified faculty continues to widen. Residency-trained faculty are now shown to earn more than non-residency-trained faculty. Significant regional differences in salaries have been present in all three SAEM surveys.

Emergency thoracotomy: comparison of medical student, resident, and faculty performances on written, computer, and animal-model assessments.

OBJECTIVE: In clinical practice, thoracotomy and other critical emergency procedures are rarely required. Consequently, medical students and residents have difficulty acquiring procedural competency in these critical procedures. The authors developed objective written, computer, and animal-model assessments of thoracotomy procedural competency to permit comparison of the reliability and validity of these three procedural assessment modalities. METHODS: Thoracotomy procedural competency was evaluated for 18 persons at three levels of training (medical student, resident, faculty), using written, computer, and animal-model assessments. A prospective, sequential assessment design was used, with the examinees serving as their own controls. Procedural competency was defined in terms of performance time (animal time scale) and performance accuracy (written accuracy, computer accuracy, and animal accuracy scales) for three thoracotomy procedures (opening the chest, pericardiotomy, and aortic cross-clamping). Level of training was the independent variable, and procedural competency scores were the outcome measures. Confounding variables included previous thoracotomy and computer experience. RESULTS: Computer and animal-model assessments produced reliable results (Chronbach's alpha > 0.50). The animal time scale and computer accuracy scale best reflected the expected skill differences among levels of physician training, providing support for construct validity. In contrast, written and animal accuracy scale scores did not significantly differ by level of physician training. Moreover, previous thoracotomy experience (i.e., number of procedures previously performed) was not a significant predictor of procedural competency. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that critical emergency medicine procedures can be evaluated reliably and validly using computer simulation and animal-model assessments. Neither previous thoracotomy experience nor knowledge of procedure content adequately predicts thoracotomy competency.

1998-1999 SAEM emergency medicine faculty salary and benefits survey.

OBJECTIVES: The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) commissioned an emergency medicine (EM) faculty salary and benefits survey for all 1998 residency review committee (RRC)-EM-accredited programs using the SAEM fourth-generation survey instrument. Responses were collected by SAEM and blinded from the investigators. METHODS: Blinded program and individual faculty data were entered into a customized version of FileMaker Pro, a relational database program with a built-in statistical package. Salary data were sorted by program region, faculty title, American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) certification, academic rank, years postresidency, program size, and whether data were reported to the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). Demographic data were analyzed with regard to numerous criteria, including department staffing levels, ED volumes, ED length of stay, department income sources, salary incentive components, and specific type and value of fringe benefits offered. Data were compared with those from previous SAEM studies. RESULTS: Seventy-three of 120 (61%) accredited programs responded, yielding usable data for 70 programs and 965 full-time faculty among the four AAMC regions. Mean salaries were reported as follows: all faculty, $167,478; first-year faculty, $140,616; programs reporting data to the AAMC, $161,794; programs not reporting data to the AAMC, $165,724. Mean salaries as reported by AAMC region: northeast, $167,876; south, $160,586; midwest, $190,957; west, $148,977. CONCLUSIONS: Reported salaries for full-time EM residency faculty continue to rise. Significant regional differences in salaries have been present in all four SAEM surveys. Nonclinical hours are compensated at approximately one-half the rate paid for clinical hours. The demographic data indicate that EM residency faculty are working at the upper extremes of numbers of patient encounters per physician, patient acuity levels, and department lengths of stay.

Collaboration in emergency medicine research: a consensus statement.

The role of collaboration in medical research and how it applies to emergency medicine (EM) research are discussed. The guidance of the Division of Health Sciences Policy of the Institute of Medicine is reviewed. Application of the principles of collaborative efforts and recognition of each individual's contribution are overviewed. Emergency physicians can and should be invaluable contributors to collaborative research. Collaborative research relationships, whether established at individual institutions or through national clinical trials, must be developed deliberately. The specialty of EM must make the necessary commitment of time and resources to ensure that these occur.

Rapid-sequence intubation at an emergency medicine residency: success rate and adverse events during a two-year period.

OBJECTIVES: Rapid-sequence intubation (RSI) is an active airway intervention used frequently in emergency medicine (EM). The authors hypothesized that RSI can be performed safely in the setting of an EM training program at a tertiary care center. METHODS: Observational study of RSI at an urban ED/Level 1 trauma center with annual census of 100,000 patients. Consecutive patients who underwent RSI during a two-year period were studied. Data included age, gender, type of patient (medical/trauma), indication for intubation, number of intubation attempts (laryngoscope passes), training level of operator, and major immediate adverse events (clinical deterioration within 10 minutes of RSI). RESULTS: RSI was used in 417 of 596 (70%) critically ill patients requiring emergent intubation. The patient demographic distribution was the following: adults 89.7%, male 58%, and trauma 44%. Primary indications for intubation among RSI patients were as follows: mechanical ventilation 57.4%, airway protection 41.3%, and cardiac arrest 1.3%. Distribution of intubations by level of EM training was PGY1, 5%; PGY2, 52%; PGY3, 40%; and attendings, 3%. Intubations were successfully completed within two attempts in 97% of the patients. Major immediate adverse events were encountered in six patients (1.4%) (hypotention=2, hypoxemia=1, dysrhythmia=3). There was no death attributable to RSI. The rate of intubations requiring two or fewer attempts and without major immediate adverse events was 96%. Three patients required cricothyrotomy. CONCLUSION: In the setting of an EM residency at a tertiary care ED, RSI can be performed successfully with few major immediate adverse events.

The benefits of 7.5% NaCl/6% dextran 70 (HSD) for prehospital resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock: improved oxygen transport.

The purpose of this study was to compare the benefit of small volume hypertonic saline/dextran (HSD) versus the risk of obligatory time to administer it on-scene in a model of acute hemorrhagic shock. Dogs were bled to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 20 mmHg and then randomized to either: a) direct transport to the emergency department (ED) or b) 10 min delay to insert an iv HSD (4 ml/kg) infusion over 5 min, and then transport. The animals receiving HSD had improved (P less than 0.05) cardiac work and oxygen consumption during transport (MAP = 59 +/- 3 vs 38 +/- 4 mmHg; cardiac index (CI) = 3.2 +/- 0.2 vs 1.3 +/- 0.1 L min-1 M-2; O2CI = 115 +/- 7 vs 104 +/- 7 ml min-1 M-2), paralleled by reduced serum lactate (5.3 +/- 0.8 vs 7.0 +/- 2.3 mmol/L) and decreased metabolic acidosis. The benefits of HSD in attenuating shock-induced oxygen debt were corroborated by lower O2CI (98 +/- 4 vs 112 +/- 5 ml min-1 M-2) and higher pH (7.30 +/- 0.01 vs 7.24 +/- 0.02) in the postresuscitation period.

Penetrating abdominal trauma.

Penetrating trauma of the abdomen no longer warrants automatic laparotomy. Reasonably accurate clinical predictors of the need for operation should first be employed. Patients who do not meet these clinical criteria undergo a selective diagnostic approach on the basis of mechanism and site of injury and the experience and expertise of the respective institution. The desire to avoid unnecessary laparotomy is laudable. Nevertheless marked morbidity or mortality caused by failure to conduct laparotomy in a timely manner can be a dreaded consequence. When clinical and diagnostic studies are unable to resolve the presence or severity of injury, laparotomy is often more prudent than expectant observation.

Blunt neck injury.

Emergency physicians must diagnose or exclude cervical spine trauma in daily practice. This is a complicated task, as the presentation may be subtle and the manifestations obscured, and no imaging modality is completely sensitive or specific. The research of the past two decades serves as a guide as to which types of patients require cervical radiologic evaluation and which modalities of evaluation are appropriate.

Trauma in pregnancy.

Care of the pregnant trauma patient requires knowledge of the mechanism of injury, understanding the physiological changes of pregnancy, assessing fetal maturity and stability, and close teamwork among emergency, trauma, obstetric and pediatric services.

Accuracy of emergency radiograph interpretation by emergency physicians.

The incidence of abnormalities in 1,869 sets of radiographs was recorded, and the accuracy of the interpretation of these films by emergency physicians was assessed. Abnormalities were most frequent in hip/femur (52.5%), thoracic spine (46.7%), and shoulder (44.8%) films and least frequent in skull (5.7%), cervical spine (14.9%), and foot (15.7%) films. The accuracy of interpretation by emergency physicians for all categories of films was 93.6%, with 1.8% false positives and 4.6% false negatives. Overreading of abnormalities occurred most often in thoracic spine (12.5%) and hip/femur radiographs (9.1%). The incidence of missing existing pathology was highest for abdomen (40.0%) and knee (31.6%) films. The overall accuracy of the emergency physicians in interpretation of emergency films was excellent. Increased didactics in particular areas of interpretive inaccuracies should be considered.

Rupture of a pancreatic pseudocyst following blunt abdominal trauma.

This report describes a case of intraperitoneal rupture of a pancreatic pseudocyst (PPC) following blunt abdominal trauma. Cause of the pseudocyst was likely alcoholic pancreatitis. Peritoneal aspiration of hemorrhagic fluid prompted laparotomy and led to diagnosis. Trauma-induced intraperitoneal rupture of a preexisting PPC has been rarely reported.

Delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia simulating acute tension pneumothorax.

The diagnosis of acute diaphragmatic injury is difficult to establish in the immediate posttraumatic period. Patients with delayed diaphragmatic herniation frequently present months to years after the initial injury with manifestations of visceral incarceration, obstruction, ischemia from strangulation, or perforation. Patients with diaphragmatic herniation presenting with clinical tension pneumothorax are rare. We describe the case of a 23-year-old female who 16 weeks following a stab wound to the low chest presented with this clinical picture caused by herniation of abdominal viscera into the chest. A review of this entity and methods of discovery of delayed traumatic diaphragmatic herniation are described.

Alcoholic ketoacidosis--a review.

Alcoholic ketoacidosis is a frequently encountered metabolic disturbance that follows a prolonged intake of ethanol. Following a brief duration of abstinence, patients typically present with vomiting, abdominal pain, and shortness of breath. Examination reveals Kussmaul breathing, variable volume loss, and coincident manifestations of chronic alcohol usage. Characteristic laboratory findings include anion-gap metabolic ketoacidosis, normal serum glucose, and zero ethanol levels. Phosphate measurements may be depressed, particularly after institution of therapy. Intravascular volume restitution, delivery of dextrose, attention to electrolytes, and discovery of alcohol-related illnesses are the mainstays of therapy.

Marine envenomations. Part 2: Invertebrates.

As more people travel to the oceans for sport diving and other marine-related activities, the incidence of marine envenomations has risen. This article is designed to give the emergency medicine physician an overview of varying marine envenomations, their clinical presentation, and recommended treatment. Part 1 of this article dealt with general wound management and vertebrate envenomations. Part 2 addresses invertebrate envenomations.

Marine envenomations; Part 1: Vertebrates.

As more people travel to the oceans for sport diving and other marine related activities, the incidence of marine envenomations has risen. This article is designed to give the emergency physician an overview of varying marine envenomations, their clinical presentation, and recommended treatment. Part 1 of this article addresses general wound management and vertebrate envenomations. Part 2 will concentrate on invertebrate envenomations.

Management of urgent hypertension: a comparison of oral treatment regimens in the emergency department.

Urgent hypertension is defined by severe elevations of blood pressure without associated end-organ damage. The use of parenteral agents for this entity entails intensive monitoring and the potential for significant hemodynamic complications. Therefore, various oral regimens have been studied. Herein described are mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and side effects of oral agents used in the treatment of urgent hypertension.

Case report: Brown-Séquard's syndrome associated with histiocytic lymphoma.

Brown-Séquard's syndrome is a rare spinal cord lesion usually produced by penetrating injuries in which ipsilateral hemiparesis and loss of position sense is associated with loss of pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side of the body. Reported here is an unusual cause of the syndrome, and a review of the pathophysiology of the syndrome is presented.

Case report: common femoral artery occlusion following blunt trauma in a child.

Vascular injury from blunt trauma is infrequently seen in children unless associated with major trauma. This case report is an example of a significant vascular injury in the setting of minor trauma. The consequences of missing such an injury as well as some of the difficulties encountered in establishing the diagnosis are discussed.