recent articles

em@3am

EM@3AM: Pneumocephalus

A 58-year-old female presents with severe headache and nausea. Her symptoms started shortly after leaving the office of her pain management doctor, where she had an epidural steroid injection to alleviate her chronic back pain approximately 30 minutes before she arrived in the ED. The patient denies any trauma to the head, fevers, nuchal rigidity, changes in vision, focal weakness, paresthesia, or anticoagulation use.  On arrival, she is awake and alert and in obvious distress. Her vitals signs include temperature of 98.8F, HR of 64, BP 133/78, and O2 saturation of 98% on room air with a respiratory rate of 18. Her exam, including a complete neurological exam, is grossly benign. Given her acute complaint and recent history, labs and CT of the head are obtained. The clinician orders analgesics. The CT shows intracranial air.

em@3am

EM@3AM: Cotton Fever

A 30-year-old male with history of IVDU presents with fever. He reports last drug use was one hour prior to arrival and admits to reusing the same cotton filter on multiple occasions. He denies recent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. VS include Temp 101.0°F, HR 110, BP 130/80, RR 18, SpO2 98% on room air. On exam, he is diaphoretic and has track marks on bilateral upper extremities. Lung sounds are clear, and there are no heart murmurs. Complete blood count and metabolic panel are unremarkable. What is the likely diagnosis?