Case Report

Capsaicin: An Uncommon Exposure and Unusual Treatment

Yenigun, MD, et al.

Capsaicin, the active component of chili peppers, is an alkaloid that causes tissue irritation and burning especially upon contact with mucous membranes. While favored in certain cuisines around the world, it has also been weaponized in the form of pepper sprays and bear repellents.

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Severe Cutaneous Findings in a Woman with Dermatomyositis

Wang, MD, et al.

Here we present the case of a woman with a particularly severe form of the cutaneous signs. It is important to recognize the potential severity of this condition as the uncontrolled progression of this disease can lead to respiratory compromise and cardiac involvement.

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Polymethylmethacrylate Pulmonary Embolism Following Kyphoplasty

Morris, DO, et al.

We report a case of polymethylmethacrylate cement pulmonary embolism (PE) that occurred two days following a minimally invasive kyphoplasty procedure. Our patient developed non-specific rib pain postoperatively followed by dyspnea, prompting presentation to the emergency department.

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Novel Application of Balloon Tamponade in Management of Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Neeki, DO, et al.

We present a case of acute lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in the emergency department, in which specialists were not emergently available to render their support. A quick intervention using balloon tamponade technique with a Minnesota tube helped stabilize the patient until intensive care, gastroenterology, and surgical specialists could intervene.

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A Novel Technique to Reduce Reliance on Opioids for Analgesia from Acute Appendicitis: The Ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block

Mantuani, MD, et al.

Here we describe a single injection, lower ESP block performed by emergency physicians that successfully alleviated pain from acute appendicitis in an ED patient awaiting definitive surgical treatment. Along with allowing clinicians to actively manage pain without reliance on opioids, this novel ED technique may improve patient care outcomes.

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Misdiagnosed Spontaneous Carotid Cavernous Sinus Fistula

Canellas, MD, et al.

A 63-year-old female presented to the emergency department with worsening left-sided blurry vision and diplopia. She had previously seen several physicians and had been diagnosed with common ocular conditions – keratoconus and dry eye.

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Atraumatic Back Pain Due to Quadratus Lumborum Spasm Treated by Physical Therapy with Manual Trigger Point Therapy in the Emergency Department

Grover, MD, et al.

Given the current epidemic of opiate use, addiction, and death from overdose in the United States,1-3 non-opioid therapies to treat pain are needed to avoid exposing patients to the risk of opioid dependence. We discuss the use of manual trigger point therapy by emergency providers and physical therapists in the emergency department (ED), as an underused non-opioid treatment for pain management in the ED.

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Homicide Using an Air Weapon

Mogni, MD, et al.

We discuss the homicide of a 31-year-old male killed by a penetrating injury of the right ventricle via air weapon, which led to pericardial tamponade. In addition, we review the literature.

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A Desquamating Skin Rash in a Pediatric Patient

Haggerty, DO, et al.

This is a case of a three-year-old female who presented with significant dehydration in the setting of a desquamating skin rash diagnosed in our emergency department as staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.

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Perilymphatic Fistula After Penetrating Ear Trauma

Kita, MD, et al.

We describe a case in which a 49-year-old male presented with a traumatic PLF secondary to penetrating ear injury. Imaging demonstrated extensive pneumolabyrinth. Despite delay in diagnosis, expeditious surgical intervention resulted in successful preservation of inner ear function.

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De Garengeot Hernia Diagnosed with Point-of-care Ultrasound

Jennings, MD, MPH, et al.

De Garengeot hernias, defined as a femoral hernia containing the appendix, are rare. It is even uncommon to have an incarcerated de Garengeot hernia with associated acute appendicitis. We report a case of a 76-year-old female presenting to the emergency department for a right lower quadrant abdominal mass for four days.

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Email: editor@westjem.org

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WestJEM
ISSN: 1936-900X
e-ISSN: 1936-9018

CPC-EM
ISSN: 2474-252X

Our Philosophy

Emergency Medicine is a specialty which closely reflects societal challenges and consequences of public policy decisions. The emergency department specifically deals with social injustice, health and economic disparities, violence, substance abuse, and disaster preparedness and response. This journal focuses on how emergency care affects the health of the community and population, and conversely, how these societal challenges affect the composition of the patient population who seek care in the emergency department. The development of better systems to provide emergency care, including technology solutions, is critical to enhancing population health.