When MCC stands for motorcycle crash and most common cause Chief Complaint: Left Arm Pain HPI: 27 y/o RHD female presented via EMS. Patient was a helmeted passenger on a motorcycle that was hit by a car immediately prior to EMS arrival. Upon EMS arrival, the patient was lying in the supine position with an…
Read MoreContributor: Jared Scott, MD Educational Pearls: Non-accidental trauma (NAT) to children is commonly missed by medical providers Try to remember TEN-4-FACES as a useful aide for concerning patterns that may reflect NAT: Torso, ears, neck and any bruising in child 4 months or longer Frenulum, angle of the mandible, cheek, eyes, sclera References Pierce MC,…
Read MoreContributor: Don Stader, MD Educational Pearls: The eye is surrounded by relatively inflexible tissues such as the bone of the orbit and the fibrous tissue of the eye. This makes it relatively susceptible to damage from outside compression, which is most common from trauma. This phenomenon is called ocular compartment syndrome (OCS) Look for OCS…
Read MoreAuthor: Susan Ryan, DO Educational Pearls: General orthopedic principles: Examine above and below the injury Document neurovascular status X-ray imaging typically requires three different views Fracture description should include name the bone, location of fracture, degree of displacement, and if it is closed or open Osgood-Schlatter (tibia) and Sever’s (calcaneus) disease are apophyseal injuries caused…
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Author: Rachel Brady, MD Educational Pearls: Elderly patients (>65 years old) have a higher trauma mortality compared to younger patients, even though they have lower mechanisms of injury Elder trauma is often under-triaged due to low-energy mechanisms and lack of physiologic response due to age and medications such as beta-blockers. Do not be reassured by…
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Author: Ryan Circh, MD Educational Pearls: Ulnar collateral ligament injury is often called gamekeeper’s thumb or skier’s thumb Can results from traumatic deviating the thumb radially (abduction) Poor rabbits Have a low threshold for referral to hand surgery for follow up – treatment for minor injuries can be conservative but more severe require surgery to…
Read MoreAuthor: Katrina Iverson, MD Educational Pearls: The winter holiday months present a unique picture of patient presentations to the emergency department Some of the unique presentations include: Children falling off Santa’s lap Sledding injuries Falling off ladders Lacerations, ingestion, and insertion of broken ornaments (pediatrics) Parents tend to hurt themselves on their children’s toys References:…
Read MoreAuthor: Mike Hunt, MD Educational Pearls: Blunt cardiac injuries most commonly occur in motor vehicle collisions, auto-pedestrian collisions, and from sports injuries The more anterior right ventricle is the most commonly injured structure Look for new EKG changes such as bundle branch blocks, ST changes, or other arrhythmias New EKG abnormalities should prompt consideration…
Read MoreAuthor: Katie Sprinkle, MD Educational Pearls: The fascia iliaca block is useful for hip and proximal femur fractures. Typically involves injecting 40-60 mL of diluted bupivacaine (0.25%) under the fascia iliaca (or other anesthetic) Anesthesia is achieved of the femoral, obturator, and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves. Monitor for signs of bupivacaine toxicity (paresthesias, AMS,…
Read MoreAuthor: Dylan Luyten, MD Educational Pearls: Early recognition that the current situation is a mass casualty incident (MCI) is essential with establishing a sole provider/nurse to oversee Team members labeling themselves by name and role is also helpful Practice and prepare for these unfortunate events Editor’s note: This podcast comes at the end…
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