Archives

Removal of an Impaled Intraocular Hair Comb Following Self-inflicted Trauma

Markovitz, MD, et al.

This case illustrates the importance of rapid ED assessment and management of complex penetrating ocular trauma. Examination should specifically look for signs of globe rupture and optic nerve injury. Expedited foreign body removal should be managed together with an ophthalmologist with procedural sedation and broad-spectrum antibiotics to avoid further visual and infectious complications.

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Beware of Reversal of an Anticoagulated Patient with Factor IX in the Emergency Department: Case Report of a Medical-Legal Misadventure

Gannon, MD, et al.

In this article we present a case of a patient who received reversal of anticoagulation therapy with factor IX in violation of hospital guidelines. As a direct result, myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke occurred, leaving the patient neurologically debilitated. Factor IX is indicated in the setting of warfarin-induced, life-threatening bleeding.

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Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Pregnancy

Garcia de Alancar, MD, et al.

We report the case of a 38-year-old woman gravida 2, para 0, abortion 1 with type 1 diabetes who had euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis and review the literature on DKP, with a focus on diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of the mother and fetus.

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Pediatric Herpes Zoster

Quesada, MD, et al.

A 10-year-old male vaccinated against varicella had developed left-sided rashes on his thoracic region in single dermatomal distribution, which is consistent with herpes zoster. Although herpes zoster is uncommon in children, especially with the current vaccination regimen, this case report serves as a reminder to consider it in one’s differential diagnoses, even in the immunocompetent, fully immunized pediatric patient.

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Paraspinal Abscess in a Two-year-old Female

O’Donnell, MD, et al.

Pediatric paraspinal abscesses are not well documented in the literature. We report a case of a two-year-old female presenting with fevers, lower back pain, and decreased oral intake ultimately diagnosed with isolated lumbar paraspinal abscess.

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Bisphosphonate-related Femoral Shaft Fracture

Kellar, MD, et al.

There have been a number of case reports discussing the association of patients on bisphosphonates who suffer a non-traumatic or a low-energy mechanism of injury atypical of subtrochanteric fractures. The purpose of this case report is to raise awareness of this potential side effect and provide increased clinical suspicion for this rare type of fracture.

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Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancy: Diagnosis With Ultrasound

Hoffman, MD, MS, et al.

We present a rare case of cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy as diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasonography. Cases such as this are rare, but they are becoming more commonly detected with the growing frequency of cesarean sections, improving technology, and provider proficiency with point-of-care ultrasound.

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Epstein-Barr Virus-induced Jaundice

Herold, DO, et al.

Infectious mononucleosis is primarily caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and is a common diagnosis made in emergency departments worldwide. Subclinical and transient transaminase elevations are a well-established sequela of EBV.

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Disseminated Gonorrhea

Estrada, DO, et al.

Sexually transmitted infections have risen sharply over the last decade in the United States. The incidence of gonorrhea has risen to 172 reported cases per 100,000 people over the past year.

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A Hidden Complication of Pigtail Catheter Insertion

Garcia de Alencar, MD, et al.

We report a case of a 92-year-old male who presented with dyspnea and shock, noted to have a pneumothorax requiring tube thoracostomy. Computed tomography demonstrated pigtail within the lung parenchyma. We discuss the implications of this occurrence.

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WestJEM/ Department of Emergency Medicine
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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.