Always On EM - Mayo Clinic Emergency Medicine Grand Rounds - Dr. Brit Long - Choose your own adventure - High risk diseases in the emergency department
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Feb 14, 2025 Dr. Brit Long, an engaging Emergency Medicine physician and Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force, delivers an interactive talk on high-risk, low-frequency conditions in the emergency department. He discusses complex cases like spinal epidural abscess and cervical artery dissection, stressing timely interventions. The episode dives into managing ectopic pregnancies and revealing insights on toxic shock syndrome, all while sharing personal anecdotes and emphasizing the role of education and collaboration in military medicine.
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Cognitive Stop Point for Flu-like Symptoms
- Consider spinal epidural abscess, especially in patients with flu-like symptoms and back pain.
- Include myocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, meningitis, and carbon monoxide toxicity in your differential diagnosis.
Spinal Epidural Abscess Triad
- The classic triad of back pain, fever, and neurological deficit is present in less than 15% of spinal epidural abscess cases.
- Focus on red flags like recurrent vascular access, immunocompromised states, and recent spinal procedures.
Spinal Epidural Abscess Workup
- Rule out spinal epidural abscess if no risk factors are present.
- Obtain inflammatory markers for moderate-risk patients and an MRI for those with progressive neurological deficits.