A Study of Households with Children and Firearms in Baltimore, Maryland.

Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the US. Safe storage of firearms in the home is one of the most effective ways of preventing firearm injuries in children. This feasibility study was conducted in both the pediatric and general Emergency Departments of a large urban academic medical center in a community with high rates of firearm injuries in children. The objective was to pilot a survey seeking to describe sociodemographic characteristics, firearm specific risk factors, and firearm storage practices of households with children in the community. One hundred participants completed a survey containing items regarding participant demographics, household features, firearm ownership, firearm characteristics, and storage practices. Descriptive statistics were used to define sociodemographic characteristics of the enrolled population, comparing those with firearms to those without, and to describe firearms and storage practices of firearm owners in households with children. Of 100 participants, 30 lived in households with firearms and children. Most firearms in homes with children were stored locked and unloaded most of the time; however, 30% of participants with firearms and children in the home reported not consistently storing a firearm locked and unloaded. The most common reason given for not storing a firearm in the safest manner possible was that storing a firearm locked and unloaded would make it difficult to access quickly. Engaging families with children in discussions around firearm prevention during Emergency Department visits is feasible and may have implications for future efforts to promote safe firearm storage practices.

Delays in treatment and disposition attributable to undertriage of pediatric emergency medicine patients.

BACKGROUND: Triage, the initial assessment and sorting of patients in the Emergency Department (ED), determines priority of evaluation and treatment. Little is known about the impact of undertriage, the underestimation of disease severity at triage, on clinical care in pediatric ED patients. We evaluate the impact of undertriage on time to disposition and treatment decisions in pediatric ED patients. METHODS: This was a case control study of ED visits for patients <22 years of age, with an assigned Emergency Severity Index (ESI) score of 4 or 5, and associated hospital admission, nebulized treatment, supplemental oxygen, and/or intravenous (IV) line placement, between January 1, 2018, to June 30, 2022. Controls were sampled from a pool of patient visits with an ESI score of 3, matched by intervention, disposition, and date and hour of arrival. Primary outcome measures were time to order of intervention (nebulized treatment, oxygen administration, or IV placement) and time to disposition decision. A secondary outcome measure was return visits requiring admission or emergency intervention within 14 days of the index visit. Continuous variables (time to orders) were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum test and dichotomous outcomes (return visits) were compared using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Analysis was performed with Python v3.10. RESULTS: The final analysis included 7245 undertriaged patients. Undertriaged patients had longer times to orders for nebulized treatments, (p < 0.001) IV placement, (p < 0.001) and admission (p < 0.001) when compared to controls. There were no significant differences in time to supplemental oxygen delivery and time to discharge compared to controls. Undertriaged patients were more likely to experience a return visit requiring admission or emergency intervention (OR 3.74, 95% CI 3.32,4.22). CONCLUSIONS: Undertriage in the pediatric ED is associated with delays in care and disposition decisions and increases likelihood of return visits.

Factors Associated With Point-of-Care Ultrasound Use by Recent Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Graduates.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to describe point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use by recent pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellowship graduates and identify associations between frequency and breadth of POCUS use with variations in POCUS training and current clinical practice environment. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional online survey of recent PEM fellowship graduates. Chi-square and nonparametric tests were used to compare POCUS use among physicians with varying types of POCUS training and varying clinical practice environments. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of 143 respondents reported using POCUS in their past 10 shifts. There was no association between the methods of POCUS education and frequency or breadth of POCUS use. Pediatric emergency medicine fellowship graduates with additional POCUS fellowship training performed more scans and used more applications than those who completed a pediatrics or medicine-pediatrics residency before PEM fellowship only [median 15 (9, 20) vs 2 (1, 5) (P < 0.01) and median 11 (6.5, 13) vs 2 (1, 3) (P < 0.01), respectively]. Participants who worked in academic emergency departments performed more ultrasounds than those who did not [3.5 (1, 8) vs 1 (0, 2), P < 0.01] and used a greater breadth of applications [3 (1, 5) vs 1 (0, 3), P < 0.01]. Physicians who billed for POCUS studies were more likely to use POCUS (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-7.3) with greater frequency [5 (2.3, 10) vs 2 (0.8, 5), P < 0.01] and use a broader range of applications [3 (2,6) vs 2 (0.8, 3.3), P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Most respondents report recent POCUS use in practice. Point-of-care ultrasound fellowship training, working in an academic emergency department, and having the ability to bill were associated with increased POCUS use.

Variability in advanced imaging of pediatric neck infections in US emergency departments.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) imaging for the evaluation of neck infections in pediatric patients in United States emergency departments (EDs). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis, using the National Emergency Department Sample database, of pediatric patients evaluated for common neck infections between 2012 and 2018. We used bivariable analysis to assess for differences in US and CT use by ED type. We performed multivariable logistic regression to adjust for potential confounding factors including patient characteristics (sex, age, insurance status, discharge diagnosis) and ED characteristics (metropolitan statistical area, pediatric center). Results are reported as odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: There were 19,363 ED visits for pediatric neck infections in the database over the study period, representing 84,439 national visits. Of those imaged, 80.8% were imaged with CT and 19.2% were imaged with US. Pediatric patients evaluated in general EDs as compared to pediatric EDs (aOR 5.32, 95% CI 3.06, 9.24) and patients with a diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess (aOR 2.11, 95% CI 1.34, 3.33) and retropharyngeal abscess (aOR 6.12, 95% CI 2.14, 17.53) were more likely to be imaged with CT scan. CONCLUSIONS: Children with neck infections evaluated in general EDs are significantly more likely to undergo CT scans when compared to those evaluated in pediatric EDs. To reduce exposure to radiation in children, we propose the dissemination of US-first protocols in general EDs for the evaluation of pediatric neck infections.

Frequency of Opioid Prescription Filling After Discharge from the Pediatric Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about prescription filling of pain medicine for children. In adult populations, race and insurance type are associated with differences in opioid prescription fill rate. We hypothesize that known disparities in pain management for children are exacerbated by the differential rates of opioid prescription filling between patients based on age and race. OBJECTIVE: To determine if there are demographic or clinical factors associated with differences in opioid prescription fill rates after discharge from the pediatric emergency department (ED). METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of all patients younger than 19 years discharged with an opioid prescription from either of two pediatric EDs in 2018. We performed multivariable logistic regression to measure associations between prescription filling and demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: There were 287 patient visits in which opioids were prescribed. Forty percent of prescriptions were filled. The majority of patients were male (53%), black (69%), and had public insurance (55%). There were no significant associations between prescription filling and age, insurance status, or race/ethnicity. Patients with sickle cell disease were more likely to fill prescriptions (odds ratio 3.87, 95% confidence interval 2.33-6.43) and patients without an identified primary care provider were less likely to fill prescriptions (odds ratio 0.16, 95% confidence interval 0.03-0.84). CONCLUSION: Less than half of opioid prescriptions prescribed at discharge from a pediatric emergency department are filled. Patient age, insurance status, and race/ethnicity are not associated with opioid prescription filling. Patients with sickle cell disease and those with a primary care provider are more likely to fill their opioid prescriptions.

Patient and Visit Characteristics of Pediatric Patients With High-frequency Low-acuity Emergency Department Visits.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric patients account for a disproportionate number of low-acuity emergency department (ED) visits. The aim of this study is to describe pediatric patient and visit characteristics for high-frequency users for low-acuity visits. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of children presenting to a tertiary care pediatric ED and an affiliated community ED, over a 2-year period, with at least 10 low-acuity visits. Twenty patients with the highest number of visits were classified as "superusers." We analyzed patient data from the larger sample of high-frequency users and visit specific data from superuser visits. IBM SPSS Statistics 25 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) was used to perform descriptive statistics and to summarize demographic and visit specific variables. RESULTS: We identified 181 high-frequency users with a mean number of visits of 14.3 ± 4.3 and a subpopulation of 20 superusers accounting for 434 visits. The majority of high-frequency users (89%) identified as African American and had public insurance (96.1%). Many patients received primary care affiliated with the home institution. In the first year of the study, 50.3% of high-frequency users were infants younger than 1 year at the index visit and 47.4% of superusers were infants at the index visit.Superuser visits were evenly distributed among seasons and the majority of visits occurred during the weekdays (70.7%). The majority of visits were for medical complaints (86.6%) and almost half (47.6%) resulted in some testing (24.9%) or treatment (30.6%); however, only 1.4% resulted in hospital admission. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample, most high-frequency low-acuity ED patients were infants, African American and have public insurance. Many are seen during clinic hours and are paneled at affiliated clinics. Among superusers, the majority of the visits did not require any testing, intervention, or treatment.

Validation of "Personal Protective Equipment Conservation Strategies Tool" to Predict Consumption of N95s, Facemasks, and Gowns During Pandemic-Related Shortages.

We sought to prospectively validate a model to predict the consumption of personal protective equipment in a pediatric emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic. We developed the Personal Protective Equipment Conservation Strategies Tool, a Monte Carlo simulation model with input parameters defined by members of our emergency department personal protective equipment task force. Inputs include different conservation strategies that reflect dynamic reuse policies. Over the course of 4 consecutive weeks in April and May 2020, we used the model to predict the consumption of N95 respirators, facemasks, and gowns in our emergency department based on values for each input parameter. At the end of each week, we calculated the percent difference between actual consumption and predicted consumption based on model outputs. Actual consumption of personal protective equipment was within 20% of model predictions for each of the 4 consecutive weeks for N95s (range, -16.3% to 16.1%) and facemasks (range, -7.6% to 13.1%), using "maximum conservation" and "high conservation" strategies, respectively. Actual consumption of gowns was 11.8% less than predicted consumption for Week 1, gown resupply data were unavailable on Weeks 2-4. The Personal Protective Equipment Conservation Strategies Tool was prospectively validated for "maximum conservation" and "high conservation" models, with actual consumption within 20% of model predictions.

Results of Testing Children for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Through a Community-based Testing Site.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographics, clinical features, and test results of children referred from their primary provider for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the community setting. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study of children ≤22 years of age who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 at a community-based specimen collection site in Washington, DC, affiliated with a large children's hospital between March 21 and May 16, 2020. RESULTS: Of the 1445 patients tested at the specimen collection site for SARS-CoV-2 virus, 408 (28.2%) had a positive polymerase chain reaction test. The daily positivity rate increased over the study period, from 5.4% during the first week to a peak of 47.4% (Ptrend < .001). Patients with fever (aOR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.3) or cough (aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9) and those with known contact with someone with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0-2.4.) were more likely have a positive test, but these features were not highly discriminating. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of mildly symptomatic or well children and adolescents referred to a community drive-through/walk-up SARS-CoV-2 testing site because of risk of exposure or clinical illness, 1 in 4 patients had a positive test. Children and young adults represent a considerable burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Assessment of their role in transmission is essential to implementing appropriate control measures.

Triple threat: New presentation with diabetic ketoacidosis, COVID-19, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Patients with diabetes have increased susceptibility to infection with Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 and increased morbidity and mortality from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Mortality from COVID-19 is sometimes caused by cardiac arrhythmias. Electrolyte disturbances in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Despite these correlations, little has been reported about the co-incidence of these three conditions: COVID-19, DKA and cardiac arrhythmias. In this case report we describe two children with COVID-19, new-onset DKA and cardiac arrhythmias. These cases emphasize the importance of close cardiac and electrolyte monitoring in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Epinephrine autoinjector prescription filling after pediatric emergency department discharge.

Background: There are known racial and socioeconomic disparities in the use of epinephrine autoinjectors (EAI) for anaphylaxis. Objective: To measure the rates of EAI prescription filling and identify patient demographic factors associated with filling rates among patients discharged from the pediatric emergency department. Methods: This was a retrospective observational cohort study of all patients discharged from a pediatric emergency department who received an outpatient prescription for an EAI between January 1, 2018, and October 31, 2019. The rates of prescription filling were calculated, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify sociodemographic factors associated with prescription filling. Results: Of 717 patients included in the analysis, 54.8% (95% confidence interval {CI}, 51.1%-58.5%) filled their prescription. There were no significant associations between EAI fill rates and patient age or sex. In bivariable analysis, non-Hispanic white patients were more likely to fill EAI prescriptions compared with non-Hispanic Black patients (odds ratio [OR] 1.89 [95% CI, 1.11-3.20]), and patients with in-state Medicaid were significantly less likely to fill EAI prescriptions compared with those patients with private insurance (OR 0.69 [95% CI, 0.48-0.98]). However, after multivariable adjustment, there was no significant difference in filling by age, insurance status, or race or ethnicity. Conclusions: Only approximately half the patients had their EAI prescriptions filled after discharge. Filling rates did not vary by sociodemographic characteristics.

Quality Assurance for Point-of-Care Ultrasound in North American Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowships.

OBJECTIVES: The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and the American College of Emergency Physicians released a policy statement endorsing the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) by pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) providers. This statement specifically recommends that emergency departments have a credentialing and quality assurance (QA) program for POCUS. There is limited knowledge of how QA for POCUS is currently carried out in pediatric emergency departments with PEM training programs. METHODS: We sent a cross-sectional web-based survey to all 81 PEM fellowship-training programs in the United States and Canada between June 2016 and June 2017. RESULTS: Sixty-six of 81 programs (81.2%) responded. Sixty-five percent of responding PEM training programs had POCUS-trained faculty or a POCUS champion at their institution. Forty-six percent had a POCUS fellowship in their institution, with 10 programs having PEM-specific POCUS fellowships. Programs with POCUS fellowships were more likely to save all images, review all scans, review scans more frequently, provide feedback, and bill compared with programs without POCUS fellowships. CONCLUSIONS: Point-of-care ultrasound is growing in PEM fellowship-training programs, with a majority of programs now having faculty members trained or interested specifically in POCUS. Most programs prefer more frequent and thorough QA processes, and programs with POCUS fellowships are more likely to have more frequent and thorough QA processes.

Implementing Paper Documentation During an Influenza Surge in a Pediatric Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that a paper documentation and discharge bundle can expedite patient care during an influenza-related surge. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of low-acuity patients younger than 21 years surging into a pediatric emergency department between January and March 2018 with influenza-like illness. Patient visits documented using a paper bundle were compared with those documented in the electronic medical record on the same date of visit. The primary outcome of interest was time from physician evaluation to discharge for patient visits documented using the paper bundle compared with those documented in the electronic medical record. Secondary outcome was difference in return visits within 72 hours. We identified patient and visit level factors associated with emergency department length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 1591 patient visits were included, 1187 documented in the electronic health record and 404 documented using the paper bundle. Patient visits documented using the paper bundle had a 21% shortened median time from physician evaluation to discharge (41 minutes; interquartile range, 27-62.8 minutes) as compared with patient visits documented in the electronic health record (52 minutes; interquartile range, 35-61 minutes; P < 0.001). There was no difference in return visits (odds ratio, 0.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.2, 2.2). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of paper charting during an influenza-related surge was associated with shorter physician to discharge times when compared with patient visits documented in the electronic health record. A paper bundle may improve patient throughput and decrease emergency department overcrowding during influenza or coronavirus disease-related surge.

Impact of Transcervical Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Peritonsillar Abscesses on Emergency Department Performance Measures.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of transcervical ultrasound (US) as the initial imaging study for suspected peritonsillar abscesses (PTAs) on pediatric emergency department (ED) throughput measures. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients evaluated for suspected PTAs between January 2009 and April 2017 was conducted. We compared the ED length of stay (LOS) before and after implementation of transcervical US to diagnose a PTA. The balancing measure was the rate of return visits within 2 weeks. RESULTS: There were 387 eligible patients over the study period. A total of 101 patients were evaluated for PTAs with computed tomography and 286 with US. The mean LOS was significantly less for patients who had US (347 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 330, 364 minutes) compared to computed tomography (426 minutes; 95% CI, 392, 459 minutes), with an absolute difference of 79 minutes (95% CI, 44, 113 minutes). Patients who were evaluated with US did not have an increased rate of return visits (5.9% versus 8.0%; P = .66). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of transcervical US was associated with a decrease of greater than 1 hour in the ED LOS for patients with suspected PTAs. Given the better radiation profile of US and no increase in the rate of return visits after its implementation, we propose the adoption of a transcervical US-first approach for the diagnosis of PTAs in pediatrics.

Utility of the DIVA score for experienced emergency department technicians.

BACKGROUND: The DIVA score is validated for predicting success of the initial attempt at peripheral intravenous insertion by nurses and physicians. A score of 4 or greater is 50% to 60% likely to have a failed first attempt. The study objective was to assess the validity of this score for emergency department technicians. METHODS: This study used a prospective convenience sample of 181 children presenting to the emergency department with intravenous access attempt by one of 29 emergency department technicians. DIVA score, total number of attempts, and median time to successful intravenous cannulation were obtained. RESULTS: Comparing patients with a DIVA score <4 to ≥4, first-time IV placement failure rates were lower (9% [95% CI, 3-24] vs. 41% [95% CI, 33-49]) and median time to IV placement was shorter (75 [interquartile range (IQR) 42-157] vs. 254 [IQR 91-806]) seconds. In patients with scores ≥4, emergency department technicians with ≥5 years of experience were significantly more likely to be successful on the first attempt (OR 2.8; 95% CI, 1.03-7.63). For every year of technician experience, the time to catheter placement, adjusted for DIVA score, decreased by 25 minutes (P≤0.05, R2=0.05). Comparing our receiver operating curve to the derivation study, the areas were similar (0.67 vs. 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence for the validity of the DIVA score when applied to IVs placed by emergency department technicians. For patients with high DIVA scores, ≥5 years of IV experience was associated with higher odds of successful first-time IV placement and shorter time to placement. HIGHLIGHTS The difficult intravenous access (DIVA) score may be generalizable to IVs placed by experienced emergency department technicians (EDTs) Higher odds of first-time success in difficult patients with ≥5 years EDT experience Early identification of difficult access may allow for aid of alternative technology Likely first study to evaluate EDTs IV skills in patients with varying DIVA scores.

Doppler Ultrasonography of the Central Retinal Vessels in Children With Brain Death.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this observational study is to explore if bedside Doppler ultrasonography of the central retinal vessels has the potential to become an ancillary study to support the timely diagnosis of brain death in children. DESIGN: Seventeen-month prospective observational cohort. SETTING: Forty-four bed pediatric medical and surgical ICU in an academic teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All children 0-18 years old who were clinically evaluated for brain death at Children's National Health Systems were enrolled and followed until discharge or death. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All patients had at least one ophthalmic ultrasound within 30 minutes of each brain death examination. The central retinal artery peak systolic blood flow velocity, resistive index, pulsatility index, and Doppler waveforms were evaluated in each patient. Thirty-five ophthalmic ultrasounds were obtained on 13 patients, 3 months to 15 years old, who each had two clinical examinations consistent with brain death. The average systolic blood pressure during the ultrasound examinations was 102 mm Hg (± 28), diastolic blood pressure 65 mm Hg (± 24), mean arterial pressure 79 mm Hg (± 23), heart rate 133 beats/min (± 27), temperature 36°C (± 0.96), arterial CO2 35 mm Hg (± 9), and end-tidal CO2 23 mm Hg (± 6). For all examinations, the average peak systolic velocity of the central retinal artery was significantly decreased at 4.66 cm/s (± 3.2). Twelve of 13 patients had both resistive indexes greater than or equal to 1, average pulsatility indexes of 3.6 (± 3.5) with transcranial Doppler waveforms consistent with brain death. Waveform analysis of the 35 ultrasound examinations revealed 11% with tall systolic peaks without diastolic flow, 17% with oscillatory flow, 29% showed short systolic spikes, and 23% had no Doppler movement detected. A rippling "tardus-parvus" waveform was present in 20% of examinations. CONCLUSION: This study supports that the combination of qualitative waveform analysis and quantitative blood flow variables of the central retinal vessels may have the potential to be developed as an ancillary study for supporting the diagnosis of brain death in children.

Diagnosis of an Intraventricular Cyst Using Point-of-Care Cranial Ultrasound in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

A 2-month-old previously healthy male infant presents with 2 days of unusual eye movements and increased fatigue. During evaluation in the pediatric emergency department, point-of-care cranial ultrasound identified a cyst-like mass. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a cyst within the third ventricle causing obstructive hydrocephalus.

The Utility of Bedside Lung Ultrasound Findings in Bronchiolitis.

OBJECTIVES: Recent literature suggests that bedside lung ultrasound may have a role in the evaluation of infants with bronchiolitis. B lines, which are multiple and diffuse vertical artifacts spreading from the lung pleural interface to the edge of the ultrasound screen, have been associated with thickened interlobular septa, extravascular lung water, and diffuse parenchymal disease. The aims of this study were (1) to describe the prevalence of B lines in children younger than 24 months presenting to the emergency department with wheezing, (2) to determine the interrater reliability of lung ultrasound findings in this setting, and (3) to determine the association of B lines with atopy and other clinical findings. METHODS: This was a pilot, prospective, observational study of a convenience sample of patients younger than 2 years presenting with wheezing to a large academic pediatric hospital emergency department. Investigators performed lung ultrasound examinations, and a second provider reviewed the ultrasound examinations to determine interrater reliability. We performed univariate analyses to test for associations between ultrasound findings and atopy, acute illness severity, age, and treatment response. RESULTS: Studies were obtained on 29 patients (mean [SD] age, 291 [187] days; 62% male). Twenty-one patients (72%) had compact B lines. B lines were significantly associated with older age and an absence of atopic features. There was poor correlation of lung ultrasound examination interpretation among enrolling providers. CONCLUSIONS: In this small sample of patients with bronchiolitis, B lines were associated with older age and an absence of atopic features. Lung ultrasound interpretation had poor interrater reliability.

The Use of Ophthalmic Ultrasonography to Identify Retinal Injuries Associated With Abusive Head Trauma.

Abusive head trauma includes any nonaccidental injury inflicted to a child's head and body. It is often characterized by, but not limited to, the repetitive acceleration-deceleration forces with or without blunt head impact. It has a mortality rate of 30%, and 80% of survivors experience permanent neurologic damage. In this case series, we hypothesize that bedside ultrasonography can be useful in the identification of retinal injuries that are consistent with abusive head trauma. Ocular manifestations of abusive head trauma are identified by dilated ophthalmic examination showing retinal hemorrhages that are too numerous to count, multilayered, and extending to the periphery. Traumatic retinoschisis, splitting of the retinal layers with or without blood accumulating in the intervening space, is exclusive for abusive head trauma in infants without a history of significant cerebral crush injury. Direct visualization of intraocular structures is difficult when the eyelids are swollen shut or when dilatation must be delayed. We present a series of 11 patients with brain injuries who underwent ophthalmic point-of-care ultrasonography that revealed traumatic retinoschisis on average 60 hours earlier than direct ophthalmic visualization. Dilated ophthalmic examinations and autopsy reports confirmed retinoschisis and other forms of retinal hemorrhages that were too numerous to count, multilayered, and extending to the periphery in all 11 patients. One patient did not have a dilated ophthalmic examination; however, traumatic retinoschisis and retinal hemorrhages were confirmed on autopsy. Ocular point-of-care ultrasonography is a promising tool to investigate abusive head trauma through the identification of traumatic retinoschisis and retinal hemorrhages when pupillary dilatation and direct ophthalmic examination is delayed.

Cranial computed tomography utilization for suspected ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction in a pediatric emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) scan, the largest medical source of ionizing radiation in the United States, is used to test for failure of ventricular peritoneal shunts. STUDY OBJECTIVES: To quantify the exposure to cranial CT scans in pediatric patients presenting with symptoms of shunt malfunction, and to measure the association of signs and symptoms with clinical shunt malfunction and the need for neurosurgical intervention within 30 days of presentation. METHOD: This was a quality improvement study evaluating a pathway used by providers in a tertiary care pediatric emergency department with 85,000 patient visits per year, by retrospective chart review of 223 patient visits for suspected shunt malfunction. We determined the median CT scan per patient per year and the association of signs and symptoms on the pathway with radiological signs of shunt failure and neurosurgical intervention within 30 days of scan. RESULTS: The median exposure was 2.6 (interquartile range 1.44-4.63) scans per patient per year. Among 11 signs and symptoms, none was associated with radiologic shunt failure. Neurosurgical intervention within 30 days was positively associated with bulging fontanelle (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 11.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67-83.0) and behavioral change (AOR 3.01; 95% CI 1.14-7.93), and negatively associated with seizure (AOR 0.13; 95% CI 0.02-0.79) and fever (AOR 0.15; 95% CI 0.04-0.55). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ventricular peritoneal shunts underwent many cranial CT scans each year. None of the signs or symptoms included on the clinical pathway was predictive of changes on CT scan.

Incidental renal mass found on focused assessment with sonography in trauma.

We present the case of a 9-year-old female who presented after minor blunt abdominal trauma during a sporting event. On focused assessment with sonography for trauma, she was found to have an incidental renal mass, which was ultimately diagnosed as a renal cell carcinoma. In this report, we focus on the use of bedside ultrasound as a screening test and the management of incidental findings.