Core EM - Emergency Medicine Podcast

Dive into a treasure trove of medical insights, where non-specific viral syndromes meet tick-borne illnesses. Discover the safety of Doxycycline for children and the critical need to differentiate it from other drugs. Learn how various medications can trigger myasthenia gravis exacerbations. With each pearl, the importance of careful diagnosis and treatment strategies shines through, making this a must-listen for emergency medicine practitioners.

We welcome Meghan Spyres back to the podcast to discuss toxic alcohol ingestion diagnosis and management. https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Podcast_Episode_129_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download Leave a Comment Tags: Ethylene Glycol, Fomepizole, Methanol, Toxic Alcohols, Toxicology Show Notes Take Home Points Suspect a toxic alcohol in any patient with a large osmol gap or a large anion gap metabolic acidosis and consider treating these patients empirically. Fomepizole is the critical antidote for toxic alcohol ingestions but, patients are likely going to require dialysis as well. Call your local poison control center if you suspect a toxic alcohol ingestion to help guide management. Read More LITFL: Toxic Alcohol Ingestion ER Cast: Mind the Gap: Anion Gap Acidosis FOAMCast: Episode 43 – Alcohols Read More

This week, we sit down with Billy Goldberg - senior faculty at NYU/Bellevue, to discuss some nuances of hip dislocation management. https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Episode_128_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download Leave a Comment Tags: Orthopedics, Trauma Show Notes Read More Core EM: Hip Dislocation OrthoBullets: Hip Dislocation EMin5: Hip Dislocation Read More

This week we talk about the subacute headache and the dangerous, can't miss diagnoses of cerebral venous thrombosis and IIH https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Podcast_Episode_127_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download Leave a Comment Tags: Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis, Headache, Neurology Show Notes Take Home Points Keep IIH and CVST on the differential for patient’s coming in with a subacute headache, particularly if they have visual or neuro symptoms. Consider an ocular ultrasound! It’s quick, shockingly easy to do, and can help point you toward a diagnosis you may have otherwise overlooked.  I have made it my practice now to include a quick look in the physical exam of my patients with a concerning sounding headache or a headache with neurologic symptoms.  Consider IIH particularly in an overweight female of child bearing age with a subacute headache, but remember patients outside that demographic can have IIH as well. Consider CVST in a patient with a thrombophilic process like cancer, pregnancy or the use of OCPs or androgens or in a patient with a recent facial infection like sinusitis or cellulitis. Read More WikEM: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension WikEM: Ocular Ultrasound Sinai EM Ultrasound – Pseutotumor Cerebri Read More

This week we discuss the uncommon but must make diagnosis of flexor tenosynovitis https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Podcast_Episode_126_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download Leave a Comment Tags: Hand, Kanavel Signs, Orthopedics, Soft Tissue Infections Show Notes Take Home Points Think about flexor tenosynovitis in a patient with atraumatic finger pain.  They may have any combination of these signs: Tenderness along the course of the flexor tendon Symmetrical swelling of the finger – often called the sausage digit Pain on passive extension of the finger and Patient holds the finger in a flex position at rest for increased comfort Give antibiotics to cover staph, strep and possibly gram negatives. Get your surgeon to see the patient, while we can get the antibiotics started, these patients need admission and may require surgical intervention. Infographic by Dr. Y. Jay Lin Read More Mailhot T, Lyn ET: Hand; in Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al (eds): Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice, ed 8. St. Louis, Mosby, Inc., 2010, (Ch) 50: p 534-571 OrthoBullets: Pyogenic Flexor Tenosynovitis Ped EMMorsels: Flexor Tenosynovitis Read More

Discover invaluable insights from a morning report conference focused on emergency medicine. Key discussions include critical case management strategies, the intricacies of medication absorption, and treatment protocols for febrile asplenic patients. The experts dive into the complexities of antibiotic use for community-acquired pneumonia, sharing valuable pearls that enhance patient care. This engaging exchange of knowledge empowers emergency professionals with practical advice to tackle real-world challenges.

This week we discuss a quick case leading into the management of MALA. https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Podcast_Episode_124_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download 2 Comments Tags: Metformin, Toxicology Show Notes Take Home Points In patients with shortness of breath and clear lungs, consider metabolic acidosis with respiratory alkalis as a potential cause Suspect MALA in any patient on metformin who presents with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and/or AMS Patients with MALA will have a low pH, a high-anion gap metabolic acidosis and high lactate levels Call your tox consultant to assist with management which will focus on fluid resuscitation with isotonic bicarbonate and dialysis Read More Bosse GM. Antidiabetics and Hypoglycemics. In: Hoffman RS, Howland M, Lewin NA, Nelson LS, Goldfrank LR. eds. Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies, 10e New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2015. Link Accessed October 31, 2017 LITFL: Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis LITFL: Metformin The Poison Review: 6 Pearls About Metformin and Lactic Acidosis Read More

This week we dive into a recent journal article questioning whether we should tap all ascites. https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Episode_123_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download Leave a Comment Tags: Albumin, Cirrhosis, Paracentesis, SBP, Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Show Notes Take Home Points SBP is a difficult diagnosis to make clinically. While patients may have the triad of fever, abdominal pain and increasing ascites, they are far more likely to only have 1 or 2 of these symptoms In patients admitted to the hospital with ascites, consider performing a diagnostic paracentesis on all patients as limited literature shows an association with decreased mortality and, the procedure is simple and low risk Once you get the fluid, focus on the cell count: WBC > 500 or PMN > 250 should prompt treatment with a 3rd generation cephalosporin and albumin infusion Gaetano et al. The benefit of paracentesis on hospitalized adults with cirrhosis and ascites. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2016. PMID: 26642977 Read More EMRAP: C3 Live Paracentesis Video LITFL: Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis SinaiEM: SBP Pearls REBEL EM: Should You Give Albumin in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP)? Approach to the Diagnosis and Treatment of SBP (University of Washington)   Read More

Dive into the complexities of true knee dislocations and the critical need for thorough evaluations. Discover how many of these injuries may spontaneously reduce and the telltale signs to watch for. The discussion emphasizes the importance of neurovascular exams to assess potential popliteal artery injuries. Learn the vital management strategies, including the role of CT angiography in identifying vascular damage and the protocols for timely interventions. It's a must-listen for those in emergency medicine!

This week we dive into the diagnosis and management of pancreatitis in the ED https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Episode_121_0_Final_Cut.m4a Download Leave a Comment Tags: Gastroenterology, GI, Pancreatitis Show Notes Ranson’s Criteria for Pancreatitis-Associated Mortality (Rosen’s) Take Home Points Pancreatitis is diagnosed by a combination of clinical features (epigastric pain with radiation to back, nausea/vomiting etc) and diagnostic tests (lipsae 3x normal, CT scan) A RUQ US should be performed looking for gallstones as this finding significantly alters management The focus of management is on supportive care. IV fluids, while central to therapy, should be given judiciously and titrated to end organ perfusion Patients will mild pancreatitis who are tolerating oral intake and can reliably follow up, can be discharged home Read More Hemphill RR, Santen SA: Disorders of the Pancreas; in Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al (eds): Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice, ed 8. St. Louis, Mosby, Inc., 2010, (Ch) 91: p 1205-1226 PulmCrit: The Myth of Large-Volume Resuscitation in Acute Pancreatitis PulmCrit: Hypertriglyceridemic Pancreatitis: Can We Defuse the Bomb? Read More