Category Critical Care

Linear Skull Fracture

Linear Skull Fracture

We all know that traumatic brain injury is a significant concern when evaluating pediatric patients with head injury. Over the years, this concern has lead to significant shifts in imaging and management practices: some for the better and… others perhaps…

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…

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…

Occluded Vascular Catheter

Occluded Vascular Catheter

Children with chronic medical problems may require a variety of specialized tools, but what do you do when those tools become the problem. We have previously reviewed issues with Baclofen Pumps as well as Vagal Nerve Stimulators.  We have also…

Endotracheal Tube Depth

Endotracheal Tube Depth

We all know that airway management is a critical skill for those of us who care for pediatric patients in the acute environment!  Due to conditions like severe respiratory illness (ex, asthma), acute trauma (ex, pulmonary contusion), or acute metabolic…

Can’t Intubate Can’t Ventilate

Can't Intubate Can't Ventilate

“Can’t Intubate Can’t Ventilate” is one of the frightening statements that causes massive surges of adrenaline in everyone. Unfortunately, most neural synapses don’t function well with that large surge of adrenaline, and it is, therefore, imperative to contemplate how to manage…

Thyroid Storm

Thyroid Storm

Thyroid disease is a common consideration for the ill adult patient, but not as commonly considered in children.  That being stated, we have mentioned several conditions which may be related to thyroid disease in children (ex, Bulging Fontanelle, Fever of…