Implementation of a Resident-Designed Procedure Cart in a Busy Emergency Department.

The authors present a description of the procedure cart they designed for their Emergency Department. This project was in response to the inefficiencies in having to gather supplies from various locations to get set up. A complete description including each of the drawer contents is provided to allow others to easily replicate a tool that saved the authors much time and frustration in daily practice.

Morel-Lavallée lesion of the distal thigh: Emergency department diagnosis with point-of-care ultrasound.

A Morel-Lavallée lesion (MLL) is a rare, closed traumatic soft-tissue degloving injury that is often misdiagnosed. The mechanism that results in this lesion involves a shearing force that separates the hypodermis from underlying fascia, thereby disrupting perforating vascular and lymphatic vessels and resulting in a hemolymphatic fluid collection prone to infection and pseudocyst formation. We describe a case of a 70-year-old male with an initially missed MLL despite CT imaging that was ultimately diagnosed on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) on a second emergency department visit. Although an MLL is often misdiagnosed on radiography and CT imaging, POCUS is an expeditious imaging modality that can facilitate diagnosis of an MLL by visualizing specific sonographic characteristics.

Molar pregnancy presenting in the emergency department.

A 27-year-old female grava1 para 0 presented to the emergency department with complaints of intractable nausea and vomiting associated with fatigue and shortness of breath for the past 2 weeks with concerns for pregnancy. Physical exam was benign. Labs were significant for a ß-hcg level of 348,260 mIU/mL. Ultrasonography showed a 12.4 pelvic mass possibly arriving from the anterior uterus concerning for fibroid. US also showed an anechoic focus suggestive of a gestational sac measuring 2.09 cm. The presentation was concerning for hyperemesis gravidarum due to molar pregnancy.

Dexmethylphenidate-Induced Rhabdomyolysis by Interaction With Aromatase Inhibitor.

Rhabdomyolysis secondary to prescription drug-drug interactions can be an overlooked life-threatening emergency. Amphetamines and similar substances have been associated with muscle lysis secondary to increased sympathetic activity that can cause myotoxicity, hyperthermia, and increased muscular activity. Anabolic steroids may also be a predisposing factor in developing rhabdomyolysis. A high index of suspicion for drug-induced rhabdomyolysis in a patient presenting with atraumatic extremity pain can facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment. We present a case of drug-induced rhabdomyolysis likely secondary to a previously unreported medication interaction.

Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma: A Case of a Benign Presentation and Emergency Department Management.

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas (SSEHs) are neurological emergencies complicated by a wide array of presentations. In this study, we report a case of a patient who presented with neck pain and was diagnosed with an SSEH with computed tomography (CT) angiography with subsequent confirmation by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The high-risk location and size of the lesion guided management and surgical intervention. In a stable patient presenting to the emergency department without focal neurological deficits, clinical suspicion and assessment of risk factors are integral in the evaluation of patient risk and subsequent imaging and intervention.

An Uncommon Rash in the Emergency Department: Sporothrix schenckii.

The authors present a case of Sporothrix schenckii diagnosed in the emergency department, based on a thorough history. The patient presented with skin nodules that had spread proximally up the arm in various stages of healing. He reported minimal pain for the unhealed ulcer and no pain for the healing ulcers, and no other concerning symptoms. The history of a thorn prick followed by the initial red nodule on the forearm has led to the diagnosis - as it was consistent with the classic presentation of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis. A high index of suspicion and carefully noting occupational history is required for a diagnosis of sporotrichosis. Clinicians should recommend long sleeves and gloves to their patients when they are handling soil.

Acute Management of Trimalleolar Fracture.

Extremity trauma is a common emergency department presentation. The authors report a case of an elderly woman who sustained a trimalleolar ankle fracture. Emergency department care includes stabilization of the fracture with a splint, with careful assessment of neurovascular status. Trimalleolar fractures are unstable and thus almost always will require surgical repair. This is true even for elderly patients and those with co-morbidities. Patients who do not get a surgical repair for these fractures are at risk for significant morbidity, including compartment syndrome, arthritis, malunion, and loss of mobility.

Acute Gastric Volvulus in the Setting of a Paraesophageal Hernia With Hemoperitoneum: Emergency Department Diagnosis and Management.

Acute gastric volvulus is an uncommon emergency department (ED) presentation associated with high mortality from gastric ischemia and perforation. The diagnosis of this pathology is complicated by its intermittent symptoms and similarity in presentation to more common disorders encountered in the ED. Assessing for key risk factors, such as the presence of a hiatal hernia, and the use of expeditious imaging modalities, such as bedside radiography and point-of-care ultrasonography, are essential in rapid diagnosis and time-sensitive, definitive surgical intervention.

Viper-induced Consumptive Coagulopathy from a Decapitated Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.

We present the case of a patient who presented with viper-induced consumptive coagulopathy after a bite on the thumb from a decapitated eastern diamondback rattlesnake. The patient was evaluated and treated in the Emergency Department and was admitted to the intensive care unit.