Archives

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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Steal Phenomenon with Tonsillar Arteriovenous Malformation

Amin, DO, et al.

Cranial vascular malformations can cause symptoms of headache, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or other cerebrovascular disorders due to steal phenomenon. Subclavian steal phenomenon is a localized change in cerebral perfusion from a cranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

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Tethered Cord Syndrome

Catmull, DO, et al.

Tethered spinal cord syndrome refers to signs and symptoms of motor and sensory dysfunction related to increased tension on the spinal cord due to its abnormal attachment; it has classically been associated with a low-lying conus medullaris.

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Twiddler’s Syndrome

Lesnick, MD, et al.

Twiddler’s syndrome refers to a rare condition in which a pacemaker or automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) malfunctions due to coiling of the device in the skin pocket and resultant lead displacement.

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Munson’s Sign: An Obvious Finding to Explain Acute Vision Loss

Gold, MD, et al.

We present here a case of this little-known cause of acute vision loss, and an example of Munson’s sign, which is a v-shaped protrusion of the lower eyelid on downward gaze that is characteristic of advanced keratoconus. We hope to highlight Munson’s sign as a simple identifier of keratoconus in an otherwise undiagnosed individual suspected of having acute corneal hydrops.

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Computed Tomography Imaging in Aortic Dissection

Westfall, MD, et al.

This case highlights the importance of obtaining CT angiography dedicated to the aorta in the setting of high clinical suspicion for aortic disease if initial CT pulmonary angiogram is negative for aortic disease.

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Asteroid Hyalosis Seen on Ocular Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Arthurs, BS, et al.

We present a case of a patient who underwent ultrasound evaluation for potential blunt ocular trauma. She was found to have multiple, freely mobile, scintillating hyperechoic opacities within the vitreous that was diagnosed as asteroid hyalosis, a rare but benign condition easily confused with vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, lens dislocation, or foreign body on ocular ultrasound.

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Eight-year-old Boy with New-onset Seizure

Rosenblatt, MD, et al.

An eight-year-old boy presented to the emergency department for a first-time seizure. The patient had only signs of mild dehydration on physical exam and had an uneventful postictal recovery. First-time seizures in pediatric patients are often benign and require only an outpatient workup; some are dangerous.

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Code Blue: Life-threatening Methemoglobinemia

Ponce Ríos, MD, et al.

One of the more common and well-described causes in the literature is exposure to topical benzocaine during medical procedures. We present a case series of acute acquired methemoglobinemia from a food source that has not been previously described in the literature: a dessert.

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WestJEM/ Department of Emergency Medicine
UC Irvine Health

3800 W Chapman Ave Ste 3200
Orange, CA 92868, USA
Phone: 1-714-456-6389
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.