recent articles

practice updates

Seizures in the First Year of Life

Diagnosing seizures in young children can be difficult and even more so in those under the age of one year. This is a brief review of the evaluation and treatment of both febrile and afebrile seizures in those under the age of one year in the emergency department.

practice updates

“Dementia” in the emergency department: can you do anything about it?

Dementia versus delirium is an age old question in emergency medicine. Many studies have been conducted seeking a means of differentiation. First, is there a way to differentiate, and second, is dementia always irreversible? Dementia is often thought to be due to a chronic disease, but studies suggest 20-30% of dementia cases are due to a reversible cause. This post looks at these questions and more.

practice updates

Brain Abscess: Pearls and Pitfalls

What do you think of with the patient presenting with fever, headache, and focal neurologic signs? Meningitis? Encephalitis? What about brain abscess? This post is filled with pearls and pitfalls on the pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of brain abscess.

practice updates

Updates on TIA

The transient ischemic attack (TIA) places patients at high risk for future stroke. This article reviews the current literature on the diagnosis, management and disposition of patients with TIA. The use of observation and TIA clinics is also discussed.

practice updates

Seizure Mimics

The pediatric patient with seizure, or is it really a seizure? A host of other conditions can look just like seizure. This Peds EM Morsel provides you with some answers.