em@3am

EM@3AM: Pediatric Osteomyelitis

A 2-year-old female with a past medical history of failure to thrive presents for evaluation of right arm pain. The mother states that the patient was recently started on mupirocin for a spot on her right forearm the day prior. Since then, the mother states she has noticed a “hard spot” on the patient’s right clavicle. Mother denies any recent trauma or falls and also reports a temperature at home of 37.8° C. Per chart review, the patient was recently discharged a week prior after a 6-day admission for failure to thrive. Vital signs include temperature 37.0° C, HR 136 bpm, RR 32 breaths/minute, and blood pressure of 99/57 mmHg. The head is atraumatic and normocephalic. Auscultation of the heart reveals a regular rate and rhythm, and lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally.  Physical exam is notable for guarding of the right upper extremity with induration overlying the proximal right clavicle with minimal surrounding erythema. There are no step-offs or bruising throughout the bilateral upper extremities. The patient has 2+ bilateral radial pulses. There is decreased active range of motion of the right shoulder which appears to be secondary to pain. She has full range of motion of all other joints.

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EM@3AM: Brainstem Strokes

A 74-year-old female presents to the ED via EMS for altered mental status and episodes of apnea. Vital signs include BP 168/89, HR 96, T 98.3, RR 3, SpO2 95% on 15L non-rebreather mask. Symptoms started acutely about 15 minutes prior to arrival. On exam, the patient opens eyes to voice, has extraocular movements intact, is unable to speak, and has 0/5 strength in all extremities. The patient was intubated for acute hypercapnic and hypoxic respiratory failure and airway protection. CT head without contrast reveals brainstem infarction. What is the diagnosis?

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EM@3AM: Malignant/Necrotizing Otitis Externa

A 68-year-old male with a history of poorly controlled diabetes presents to the ED with increasing right-sided ear and facial pain, swelling, and difficulty hearing for two weeks.  He says the pain is worse at night and when he is chewing. Today, he noticed his right face looked swollen and he had an unequal smile. Triage vital signs include BP 130/75 mm Hg, HR 90 bpm, T 37C, RR 15 breaths per minute, SpO2 98% on room air.  A point of care glucose is 148 mg/dL.  On exam, the right side of the patient’s face is notably swollen. The right ear is anteriorly displaced by surrounding edema and is erythematous with malodorous discharge.  There is facial asymmetry that involves the forehead.  Otoscopic exam reveals granulation tissue.

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EM@3AM: Auricular Hematoma

A 24-year-old male presents to the ED from a mixed marital arts competition after being struck on the side of the right head by a fist earlier today. The patient denies any loss of consciousness, neck pain, vomiting, or use of blood thinners. His vital signs include BP 133/82, HR 76, T 97.5, RR 15, SpO2 99% on room air. On exam there is no periorbital ecchymosis, eye trauma, hemotympanum, facial tenderness, or trismus. On evaluation of the right ear a fluctuant and tender area is noted to the superior portion of the ear. The area of fluctuance measures approximately 3 cm in diameter. What is the diagnosis?

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EM@3AM: Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Trauma

A 70-year-old female with a past medical history of osteoporosis, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension presents with acute thoraco-lumbar back pain after a ground-level fall. She is stable, but she does have pain at the T-12/L-1 region of her back.  She has full motor strength and sensory function in the lower extremities. Her patellar reflexes are 1+ bilaterally, no ankle clonus is noted, and she denies any saddle anesthesia or bowel/bladder incontinence. 

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EM@3AM: Vaginal Bleeding

 A 22-year-old female presents with three days of vaginal bleeding. She has soaked through multiple pads and has passed clots. She endorses some lightheadedness but no syncope. Her last period was two weeks ago. She has no known past medical history, does not use hormonal contraception, and is sexually active with one male partner. On exam, she is stable, and her abdomen is soft and non-tender. The speculum exam reveals blood in the vaginal vault that appears to be coming from the cervical os. Her urine pregnancy test is negative. What is your next step in evaluation and treatment?

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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.

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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?

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EM@3AM: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

A 67-year-old female with past medical history of hypertension presents with acute onset of chest pain without associated symptoms. She describes the pain as left-sided, non-radiating, and 9/10 in severity. On exam, vital signs are normal. She is clutching her chest and is in acute distress due to pain with no other remarkable findings. ECG shows ST-segment elevation in V3-V6 only with depression in aVR. Initial troponin is mildly elevated. The catheterization lab is activated, but catheterization shows no coronary artery occlusion. On further questioning, the patient denies recent illness but does mention that her daughter passed away in a car accident yesterday.  What is the diagnosis?

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