Contrast-enhanced point of care ultrasound for the evaluation of stable blunt abdominal trauma by the emergency physician: A prospective diagnostic study.

Objectives: Clinical examination alone cannot reliably rule out significant traumatic abdominal injury. Computed tomography (CT) has become the primary method for evaluating blunt abdominal trauma and clinicians rely heavily on it to rule out abdominal injury. Ultrasound examination may miss significant abdominal injury particularly in stable patients. The use of a contrast agent improves ultrasound sensitivity to visceral abdominal injuries. The objective of this diagnostic study is to compare bedside contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) performed by emergency physicians to CT in hemodynamically stable adults for the assessment of blunt abdominal trauma and evaluate CEUS accuracy outcomes. Methods: Hemodynamically stable patients with blunt trauma were prospectively enrolled in the trauma bay. After initial evaluation, we included patients at risk of abdominal injury and for whom an abdominal CT was planned by the trauma leader. Ultrasonography was performed prospectively and at the bedside by the emergency physician followed by abdominal CT used as a reference standard. Results: Thirty-three patients were enrolled in the study; among them, 52% showed positive traumatic findings in abdominal CT scans, and 42% were diagnosed with solid organ lesions. Compared to CT, a focused abdominal sonography (FOCUS) examination, looking for free fluid or perirenal hematoma, showed limited performance for traumatic findings with a sensitivity of 65% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 38%-86%), a specificity of 75% (95% CI: 48%-93%), a negative likelihood ratio (NLR) of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.23-0.95), and a positive likelihood ratio (PLR) of 2.59 (95% CI: 1.03-6.48). When combining FOCUS with CEUS, the sensitivity of the sonography increased to 94% (95% CI: 71%-100%) with a specificity of 75% (95% CI: 48%-93%). The PLR was 3.76 (95% CI: 1.6-8.87) and the NLR was 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01-0.54). In our population, abdominal sonography with contrast failed to identify a single positive abdominal CT with a grade 1 kidney injury. Conclusions: A FOCUS examination shows limited sensitivity and specificity to detect positive abdominal CT in stable adults with abdominal trauma. With the addition of contrast and careful inspection of solid organs, abdominal sonography with contrast performed by the emergency physician improves the ability to rule out traumatic findings on abdominal CT. CEUS performed by emergency physicians may miss injuries, especially in the absence of free fluid, in cases of low-grade injuries, simultaneous injuries, or poor-quality examinations.

[Perspectives and Challenges of hand-held Ultrasound]. / Entwicklungen, Herausforderung und Perspektiven des Handheld-Ultraschalls (HHUS).

The use of handheld ultrasound devices from a technical and data protection point of view, device properties, functionality, documentation, indications, delegation of performance, applications by doctors, students and non-medical staff is examined and discussed.

Diagnostic accuracy of a pragmatic, ultrasound-based approach to adult patients with suspected acute appendicitis in the ED.

BACKGROUND: Systematic imaging reduces the rate of missed appendicitis and negative appendectomies in patients with suspected acute appendicitis (AA). Little is known about the utility of ultrasound as a first diagnostic measure in patients with suspected AA. The aim of this retrospective study is to determine whether ultrasound, performed by emergency physicians or radiologists, can be used as first diagnostic measure in suspected cases to rule out AA and to avoid unnecessary CT. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis at the ED of the University Hospital Bern, Switzerland, from 2012 to 2014. Our standard protocol is that all adult patients suspected of appendicitis receive an ultrasound as their first imaging test, either by an emergency physician or a radiologist. The test characteristics of conclusive and inconclusive ultrasound exams were compared with a pragmatic gold standard. RESULTS: The study included 508 patients with suspected AA. 308 patients (60.4%) had a conclusive ultrasound. Among these, sensitivity for appendicitis was 89.6% (95% CI 82.1% to 94.3%), specificity 93.8% (89.1% to 96.6%), the positive predictive value was 87.98 (80.84 to 92.71) and the negative predictive value was 94.65 (91.18 to 96.80). The remaining 200 (39.4%) patients had an inconclusive ultrasound exam. 29% (59/200) of these patients ultimately had appendicitis. Less experienced emergency physician sonographers came to a definitive conclusion in 48.1% (95% CI 36.9% to 59.5%), experienced emergency physician sonographers in 76.0% (68.4% to 82.5%) and radiologists in 52.4% (44.5% to 60.2%). CONCLUSION: A conclusive ultrasound of the appendix performed by either emergency physicians or radiologists is a sensitive and specific exam to diagnose or exclude AA in patients with suspected AA. Because of 6% false negative exams, clinical follow-up is mandatory for patients with negative ultrasound. An inconclusive ultrasound warrants further imaging or a follow-up visit, since 29% of patients with inconclusive ultrasound had an AA.

[Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in severely injured patients in the emergency trauma room: a case series]. / "Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta" bei schwer verletzten Patienten im Schockraum: eine Fallserie.

Hemorrhage is the cause of death in 30-40% of severely injured patients due to trauma and the most frequent avoidable cause of death. In civilian emergency medical services, the majority of life-threatening hemorrhages are found in incompressible body regions (e.g. abdomen and pelvis). Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) has therefore been discussed in recent years as a lifesaving procedure for temporary bleeding control in multiple trauma patients. Since August 2020 REBOA is implented in the treatment of seriously injured patients in the emergency department of the University Hospital of Bern. In this case series we report on our experiences in all seven patients in whom we performed this procedure during the first year.

[COVID-19 in the Family Practice - Outpatient Treatment or Hospitalization?] / COVID-19 in der Praxis ­ wann ambulant, wann stationär behandeln?

COVID-19 in the Family Practice - Outpatient Treatment or Hospitalization? Abstract. Switzerland has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The clinical spectrum of this disease in terms of its clinical presentation and course is very broad. A correct initial evaluation in the practice or in the emergency department is important and includes history-taking and clinical examination as well as imaging and laboratory tests. Most patients with COVID-19 can be treated as outpatients. Hospitalization may be necessary in patients with a marked COVID-19 pneumonia or further complications, which occur primarily in the second or third phase of the disease. The dynamics of the disease must also be taken into consideration. In outpatients, symptomatic therapy is often sufficient, antibiotics and corticosteroids are not indicated.

[Arthrocentesis in the Emergency Department]. / Gelenkpunktionen in der Notfallstation.

Arthrocentesis in the Emergency Department Abstract. Acute joint swelling is a common presentation to the emergency department. Although routine investigations like clinical exam, labs and eventually x-ray are usually obtained, definitive diagnosis must be established since timely recognition of septic arthritis in particular is crucial. Definitive diagnosis is achieved by performing an arthrocentesis of the affected joint. While arthrocentesis of larger joints and large effusions (e. g. knee) are relatively easy to perform using the landmark-technique, smaller and less accessible joints (shoulder, elbow, hip) are more difficult to access and it is therefore recommended to use ultrasound guidance. Compared with the landmark-technique, ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis is more successful and less painful. Synovial fluid should be analyzed for cell count with differential, crystals as well as for microbiological analysis such as Gram-stain and culture. Once the diagnosis of septic arthritis has been established, irrigation of the joint should be performed by orthopedic surgery. Antibiotic therapy should be withheld until the sampling of synovial fluid has been completed. After exclusion of septic arthritis, acute arthritis due to crystal arthropathy (CPPD or gout) is treated with either glucocorticoid-infiltration of the joint or with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In this article, the different technical aspects of arthrocentesis are discussed, including asepsis, landmark- and ultrasound-guided access, preanalytics and interpretation of the laboratory results.

Point of care ultrasound for rapid assessment and treatment of palliative care patients in acute medical settings.

The combination of an ageing population with improving survival in malignant and non-malignant disease processes results in a growing cohort of patients with advanced or end-stage chronic diseases who require acute medical care. Emergency care has historically been stereotyped as the identification and treatment of acute life-threatening problems. Although palliative care may be considered to be new to the formal curriculum of emergency medicine, in many domains the ultrasound skillset of a physician in acute medical care can be efficaciously deployed the benefit of patients with both malignant and non-malignant disease processes that require palliative care in the full breadth of acute healthcare settings. In diagnostic domains (abdominal pain, urinary tract obstruction, dyspnoea, venous thromboembolism and musculoskeletal pain) and for specific intervention guidance (thoracentesis, paracentesis, venous access, regional anaesthesia and musculoskeletal interventions) we suggest that POCUS has the potential to streamline improve patient satisfaction, streamline diagnostic strategies, optimise patient length of stay, expedite timely symptomatic relief and reduce complications in this important patient population. POCUS is a mandatory competence in the European curriculum of internal medicine, and specific training programs which cover applications in the domains of palliative care in acute care settings are available. Supervision, quality assurance and appropriate documentation are required. We expect that as the availability of mobile units suitable for point of care applications increases, these applications should become standard of care in the acute management of patients who require palliative care.

Intubation in acute alcohol intoxications at the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend endotracheal intubation in trauma patients with a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) < 9 because of the loss of airway reflexes and consequential risk of airway obstruction. However, in patients with acute alcohol intoxication guidelines are not clear. Thus, we aimed to determine the proportional incidence of intubation in alcohol intoxication and compare the clinical characteristics of intubated and non-intubated patients, as well as reasons for intubation in all patients and in the subgroup of patients with reduced GCS (< 9) but without traumatic brain injury. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all consultations to an urban ED in Switzerland that presented with an acute alcohol intoxication between 1st June 2012 and 31th Mai 2017. Patient and emergency consultations' characteristics, related injuries, intubation and reason for intubations were extracted. As a subgroup analysis, we analysed the patients with a GCS < 9 without a traumatic brain injury. RESULTS: Of 3003 consultations included from 01.06.2012 to 31.05.2017, 68 were intubated, leading to a proportional incidence of 2.3% intubations in alcohol-intoxication. Intubated patients had a lower blood alcohol concentration (1.3 g/kg [IQR 1.0-2.2] vs. 1.6 g/kg [IQR1.1-2.2], p = 0.034) and less often suffered from chronic alcohol abuse (1183 [39.4%] patients vs. 14 [20.6%], p = 0.001) than non-intubated patients. Patients with trauma were intubated more often (33 patients [48.5%] vs. 742 [25.3%], p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, 110/145 patients (74.3%) were not intubated; again, more intubated patients had a history of trauma (9 patients [25.7%] vs. 10 [9.1%], p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Intubation in alcohol-intoxicated patients is rare and, among intoxicated patients with GCS < 9, more than two thirds were not intubated in our study - without severe complications. Trauma in general, independent of the history of a traumatic brain injury, and a missing history of chronic alcohol abuse are associated with intubation, but not with blood alcohol concentration. Special caution is required for intoxicated patients with trauma or other additional intoxications or diseases.

Presentations Related to Acute Paracetamol Intoxication in an Urban Emergency Department in Switzerland.

AIM: To investigate the characteristics of Emergency Department (ED) presentations due to acute paracetamol intoxication. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of patients presenting to the ED of Bern University Hospital between May 1, 2012, and October 31, 2018, due to a paracetamol overdose (defined as intake of >4 g/24 h). Cases were identified using the full-text search of the electronic patient database and were grouped into intentional (suicidal/parasuicidal) and unintentional intoxications (e.g., patient unaware of maximal daily dose). RESULTS: During the study period, 181 cases were included and 143 (79%) of those were intentional. Compared to the patients in the unintentional group, patients in the intentional group were more often female (85% vs 45%, p < 0.001) and younger (median age 23.0 vs 43.5 years, p < 0.001), more frequently suffered from psychiatric comorbidities (93%, (including 49% with borderline personality disorder) vs 24%, p < 0.001), and paracetamol was more often taken as a single dose (80% vs 13%, p < 0.001). Although the median daily ingested dose was lower in the unintentional than in the intentional group (8.2 g vs 12.9 g, p < 0.001), patients in the unintentional group presented later (29% vs 84% within 24 h of ingestion, p < 0.001), included more cases of acute liver failure (nine (24%) vs six (4%), p < 0.001), and were more often hospitalised (24% vs 52% treated as outpatients, p=0.002). There were no significant differences between the groups regarding drug-induced liver injury (seven cases (5%) in the intentional and one (3%) in the unintentional group) or fatalities (one in each group). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of presentations due to paracetamol poisoning were intentional, most commonly in female patients with borderline personality disorder. Patients with unintentional paracetamol intoxication had worse outcomes with respect to acute liver failure and hospitalisation. Future preventive measures should raise awareness of paracetamol toxicity in the general population and encourage particular attention and frequent follow-ups when prescribing paracetamol for vulnerable groups.

Frequency, aetiology, and impact of vestibular symptoms in the emergency department: a neglected red flag.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the incidence of all vestibular symptoms in a large interdisciplinary tertiary emergency department (ED) and to assess stroke prevalence, and frequency of other life-threatening aetiologies. METHODS: In this 1-year retrospective study, we manually screened all medical records of 23,608 ED visits for descriptions of vestibular symptoms. Symptoms were classified according to the International Classification of Vestibular Disorders of the Bárány Society. We evaluated all patients older than 16 years in whom vestibular symptoms were the main or accompanying complaint. We extracted clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings as well as aetiologies from medical records. RESULTS: We identified a total of 2596 visits by 2464 patients (11% of ED visits) who reported at least one vestibular symptom. In 1677/2596 visits (64.6%), vestibular symptoms were the main reason for the ED consultation. Vestibular symptoms were classified as dizziness (43.8%), vertigo (33.9%), postural symptoms (6.5%), or more than one symptom (15.8%). In 324/2596 visits (12.5%), cerebrovascular events were the aetiology of vestibular symptoms, and in 355/2596 visits (13.7%), no diagnosis could be established. In 23.8% of visits with vestibular symptoms as the main complaint, the underlying condition was life-threatening. CONCLUSION: Frequency and impact of vestibular symptoms in patients visiting the ED were higher than previously reported, and life-threatening aetiologies such as strokes are common. Therefore, awareness among physicians regarding the importance of vestibular symptoms has to be improved.

Development, implementation and first insights of a time- and location-independent longitudinal postgraduate curriculum in emergency medicine.

Introduction, background and context: There have been few reports on the implementation of a structured curriculum for emergency medicine, as emergency medicine is not yet an established medical specialty for training in many European countries, including Switzerland and Germany. Because of the non-plannable workload in the emergency setting, common training approaches are often difficult to implement. Need-assessments of emergency medicine trainees commonly identify a need for interactive, time-independent ways of learning that integrate modern forms of knowledge transfer. Methods: In the present study, we assess the local needs of emergency medicine specialists and trainees for a curriculum in emergency medicine and elaborate possible solutions for the implementation of this curriculum, taking into account the special needs in a highly dynamic, unplannable environment, such as an interdisciplinary emergency department. Results: We describe the development of the emergency medicine curriculum on the basis of the six steps proposed by Kern for curriculum development in medical education, as well as the implementation, lessons learned and interval evaluation. Conclusions: The combination of multiple teaching formats, ranging from time- and location-independent solutions such as podcasted lectures to simulation-based training sessions, as well as small-group workshops and skill training sessions, might be a valuable approach to implementing a state-of-the-art curriculum in a busy emergency department.

Mushroom Poisoning-A 17 Year Retrospective Study at a Level I University Emergency Department in Switzerland.

The consequences of mushroom poisoning range from mild, mostly gastrointestinal, disturbances to organ failure or even death. This retrospective study describes presentations related to mushroom poisoning at an emergency department in Bern (Switzerland) from January 2001 to October 2017. Gastrointestinal disturbances were reported in 86% of the 51 cases. The National Poisons Information Centre and mycologists were involved in 69% and 61% of the cases, respectively. Identification of the mushroom type/family was possible in 43% of the cases. The most common mushroom family was Boletaceae (n = 21) and the most common mushrooms Xerocomus chrysenteron (n = 7; four being part of a cluster), Clitocybe nebularis, Lepista nuda and Lactarius semisanguifluus (n = 5 each, four being part of a cluster). Poisonous mushrooms included Amanita phalloides (n = 3, all analytically confirmed), Boletus satanas (n = 3), Amanita muscaria (n = 2) and Amanita pantherina (n = 2). There were no fatalities and 80% of the patients were discharged within 24 h. Mushroom poisoning does not appear to be a common reason for emergency consultation and most presentations were of minor severity and related to edible species (e.g., due to incorrect processing). Nevertheless, poisonous mushrooms and severe complications were also recorded. Collaboration with a poison centre and/or mycologists is of great importance, especially in high risk cases.

Severity and pattern of injuries caused by Swiss wrestling (Schwingen): first retrospective study at a level I University Emergency Department in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: This article addresses typical injury patterns related to the traditional Swiss folk wrestling, 'Schwingen'. This is a fight between two competitors with its own rules, grips and throws. A variety of injuries have been occasionally reported. The aim of this study was to characterise all cases of Schwingen injuries treated in the University Hospital of Bern from January 2006 to July 2016. METHODS: To assess the frequency, type and outcome of Schwingen injuries, database search was performed of all inpatient and outpatient cases related to Schwingen that were admitted to Bern University Hospital from January 2006 to December 2016. RESULTS: A total of 32 such patients could be identified. Apart from a single woman, all patients were male. 31 of the 32 players were Swiss. One patient was admitted to the intermediate care unit, eight patients underwent surgery, two were hospitalised for further treatment and two were given a plaster. 17 other patients were given medications such as painkillers. One was dismissed without further treatment and another one left the hospital on his own. Typical injury patterns varied from simple lesions to distortions and fractures as well as head injuries and other neurological complications. CONCLUSION: The majority of injuries caused by Schwingen are not life threatening. Nevertheless, there is always the potential of head injuries and neurological deficits. Apart from the economic loss due to treatment costs and sick leave, these injuries can be disabling for life. It should therefore be obligatory for all players to evaluate preventive measures.

[Diving Accidents in Lakes - a Retrospective Study of a Level-1 Emergency Centre in Switzerland]. / See-Tauchunfälle ­ eine retrospektive Studie eines Level-1-Notfallzentrums der Schweiz.

Diving Accidents in Lakes - a Retrospective Study of a Level-1 Emergency Centre in Switzerland Abstract. Switzerland is a country in the middle of Europe without access to an open sea. Here one does not assume a noteworthy number of diving accidents. However, this study shows a large number and attempts to explore the main risks of diving accidents. The data from 2001 to 2016 of patients had been collected und retrospectively evaluated using the electronic database of the emergency center of the university hospital in Bern, Switzerland. Barotrauma of the ear (69.0 %), decompression accidents (20.7 %) as well as cardiovascular complications (13.8 %) appeared quite frequently during scuba diving in Switzerland. In contrast, otitis occurred only at a very low percentage (3.5 %). The risk of diving accidents is clearly underestimated. Preventative measures should include more emphasis on the vertical diving profile with increasing diving depths and on the hazards of cardiovascular diseases with increasing age.

Detection of pneumothoraces in patients with multiple blunt trauma: use and limitations of eFAST.

BACKGROUND: Extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (eFAST) has been shown to have moderate sensitivity for detection of pneumothorax in trauma. Little is known about the location or size of missed pneumothoraces or clinical predictors of pneumothoraces in patients with false-negative eFAST. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study includes all patients with multiple blunt trauma diagnosed with pneumothorax who underwent both eFAST and CT performed in the ED of a level 1 trauma centre in Switzerland between 1 June 2012 and 30 September 2014. Sensitivity of eFAST for pneumothorax was determined using CT as the gold standard. Demographic and clinical characteristics of those who had a pneumothorax detected by eFAST and those who did not were compared using the Mann-Whitney U or Pearson's χ2 tests. Univariate binary logistic regression models were used to identify predictors for pneumothoraces in patients with negative eFAST examination. RESULTS: The study included 109 patients. Overall sensitivity for pneumothorax on eFAST was 0.59 and 0.81 for pneumothoraces requiring treatment. Compared with those detected by eFAST, missed pneumothoraces were less likely to be ventral (30 (47.6%) vs 4 (9.3%), p <0.001) and more likely to be apical and basal (7 (11.1%) vs 15 (34.9%), p=0.003; 11 (17.5%) vs 18 (41.9%), p=0.008, respectively). The missed pneumothoraces were smaller than the detected pneumothoraces (left side: 30.7±17.4 vs 12.1±13.9 mm; right side: 30.2±10.1 vs 6.9±10.2 mm, both p <0.001). No clinical variables were identified which predicted pneumothoraces in falsely negative eFAST. Among those pneumothoraces missed by eFAST, 30% required tube thoracostomy compared with 88.9% of those detected with eFAST. CONCLUSION: In our study, pneumothoraces missed by eFAST were smaller and in atypical locations compared with those detected by eFAST and needed thoracic drainage less often.

Shared drink and a soft punch: an almost deadly combination.

Injuries of the spleen in blunt abdominal trauma are common and can lead to fatal bleeding. The diagnostic of choice to determine severity and treatment is usually made in contrast-enhanced CT. In our case we used contrast-enhanced ultrasound to identify the origin of an intra-abdominal bleeding following a minor trauma in a patient with splenomegaly due to an Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Interprofessional and interdisciplinary simulation-based training leads to safe sedation procedures in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Sedation is a procedure required for many interventions in the Emergency department (ED) such as reductions, surgical procedures or cardioversions. However, especially under emergency conditions with high risk patients and rapidly changing interdisciplinary and interprofessional teams, the procedure caries important risks. It is thus vital but difficult to implement a standard operating procedure for sedation procedures in any ED. Reports on both, implementation strategies as well as their success are currently lacking. This study describes the development, implementation and clinical evaluation of an interprofessional and interdisciplinary simulation-based sedation training concept. METHODS: All physicians and nurses with specialised training in emergency medicine at the Berne University Department of Emergency Medicine participated in a mandatory interdisciplinary and interprofessional simulation-based sedation training. The curriculum consisted of an individual self-learning module, an airway skill training course, three simulation-based team training cases, and a final practical learning course in the operating theatre. Before and after each training session, self-efficacy, awareness of emergency procedures, knowledge of sedation medication and crisis resource management were assessed with a questionnaire. Changes in these measures were compared via paired tests, separately for groups formed based on experience and profession. To assess the clinical effect of training, we collected patient and team satisfaction as well as duration and complications for all sedations in the ED within the year after implementation. We further compared time to beginning of procedure, time for duration of procedure and time until discharge after implementation with the one year period before the implementation. Cohen's d was calculated as effect size for all statistically significant tests. RESULTS: Fifty staff members (26 nurses and 24 physicians) participated in the training. In all subgroups, there is a significant increase in self-efficacy and knowledge with high effect size (d z = 1.8). The learning is independent of profession and experience level. In the clinical evaluation after implementation, we found no major complications among the sedations performed. Time to procedure significantly improved after the introduction of the training (d = 0.88). DISCUSSION: Learning is independent of previous working experience and equally effective in raising the self-efficacy and knowledge in all professional groups. Clinical outcome evaluation confirms the concepts safety and feasibility. CONCLUSION: An interprofessional and interdisciplinary simulation-based sedation training is an efficient way to implement a conscious sedation concept in an ED.

Adult Asylum Seekers from the Middle East Including Syria in Central Europe: What Are Their Health Care Problems?

BACKGROUND: Forced displacement related to persecution and violent conflict has reached a new peak in recent years. The primary aim of this study is to provide an initial overview of the acute and chronic health care problems of asylum seekers from the Middle East, with special emphasis on asylum seekers from Syria. METHODS: Our retrospective data analysis comprised adult patients presenting to our emergency department between 01.11.2011 and 30.06.2014 with the official resident status of an "asylum seeker" or "refugee" from the Middle East. RESULTS: In total, 880 patients were included in the study. Of these, 625 (71.0%) were male and 255 (29.0%) female. The median age was 34 (range 16-84). 222 (25.2%) of our patients were from Syria. The most common reason for presentation was surgical (381, 43.3%), followed by medical (321, 36.5%) and psychiatric (137, 15.6%). In patients with surgical presentations, trauma-related problems were most common (n = 196, 50.6%). Within the group of patients with medical presentation, acute infectious diseases were most common (n = 141, 43.9%), followed by neurological problems (n = 70, 21.8%) and gastrointestinal problems (n = 47, 14.6%). There were no differences between Syrian and non-Syrian refugees concerning surgical or medical admissions. The most common chronic disorder of unclear significance was chronic gastrointestinal problems (n = 132, 15%), followed by chronic musculoskeletal problems (n = 108, 12.3%) and chronic headaches (n = 78, 8.9%). Patients from Syria were significantly younger and more often suffered from a post-traumatic stress disorder than patients of other nationalities (p<0.0001, and p = 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Overall a remarkable number of our very young group of patients suffered from psychiatric disorders and unspecified somatic symptoms. Asylum seekers should be carefully evaluated when presenting to a medical facility and physicians should be aware of the high incidence of unspecified somatic symptoms in this patient population.In general, there is no major difference between asylum seekers from Syria when compared to other nationalities of asylum seekers from the Middle East.