Category 2016 Morsels

Endocarditis in Children

Endocarditis

Many conditions may present subtly in children (ex, Inborn Errors of Metabolism, HUS, Pneumonia), but the subtle presentations of cardiac disease are often the most attention grabbing. We have previously discussed Subtle Signs of Heart Failure and Myocarditis.  Let us take a…

Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema and Croup

Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema and Croup

Caring for patients is very humbling. I once described the EM Mindset as being one that requires Humble Arrogance (See EMDocs.net) – requiring humility to know you can’t know it all and arrogance to believe that your skills can make a…

Spinal Needle Stylet Hokey Pokey

Spinal Needle Stylet

Certainly, one of the most common procedures in the Ped ED is the lumbar puncture.  We have discussed efforts to ensure that our first attempt is our best attempt: good positioning and analgesia are critical.  We have also discussed how to deal with the…

Straddle Injury

Straddle Injury

Injuries happen. Big injuries and small injuries occur at rates that continually hone and refine our skills and, potentially, deplete our stores of ketamine. We have covered a wide variety of injuries in the past from head to finger and…

Sickle Cell Trait

Sickle Cell Trait

We have discussed many medical “myths” previously (ex, Atropine for RSI, Cuffed ETTs, ORT vs IVF, Morphine for Appendicitis), but recently one of my esteemed PEM Fellows enlightened me about another.  We have touched on some of the complications that…

Epinephrine for SHOCK

Epinephrine for SHOCK

Pediatric shock warrants great concern. Whether it is caused by Sepsis, Hypovolemia, Obstructive process (ex, Tamponade, PE, Pneumothorax), Cardiogenic  conditions, or “K“ortisol deficiency (Yes, I know it should be “Cortisol”… but then it wouldn’t spell SHOCK.) there are many management…

Leukemia Clues

Leukemia Clues

Many of the PedEM Morsels accentuate the need to be vigilant, although reasonable, and guard against the significant pathology that may present in a benign manner. Often this merely requires maintaining an “active” mind when evaluating children.  The “active” mind…