The emDOCs podcast returns with spinal epidural abscess.

When should you consider optic neuritis, and what is the evaluation and management?

The AHA/ASA 2022 Guideline for managing spontaneous ICH was recently released. This post looks at the key recommendations that affect ED evaluation and management.

How should you evaluate and manage the patient with spinal cord injury?

What are the current neurointerventional management techniques for large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke?

How do you evaluate and manage spontaneous intracranial hypotension?

This post looks at why we miss subarachnoid hemorrhage, specifically imaging and lumbar puncture.

A 38-year-old male with a history of injection drug use presents with one day of progressively worsening, pressure-like chest pain radiating to his back. He appears diaphoretic and in moderate distress. He has had new difficulty opening his mouth. On exam, he is tachycardic, diaphoretic, and in acute distress. He endorses tenderness throughout his thoraco-lumbar spine. Neurological evaluation demonstrated increased tone in all extremities. Skin exam reveals two abscesses on his upper extremities. An MRI of the spine is unremarkable. Reexamination reveals new spasmodic neck stiffening, jaw clenching and arching of his back. What is the likely diagnosis?