Category Critical Care

Lemierre’s Syndrome

Carrying along with the theme of unusual conditions presenting as the common illnesses (see also Kawasaki Disease, HUS and many other Pediatric conditions), let’s bring to mind Lemierre’s Syndrome. • Jugular Vein Thrombosis (JVT) associated with an anaerobic infection in…

Burns

As my family plans to ignite the forest of candles on my birthday cake, it dawns on me that I may need to manage my own burn. So as a Happy Birthday gift to myself, we’ll talk about burns briefly.…

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 2010 Update

The American Heart Association just published the updates to CPR for both adults and children. Below are the Pediatric highlights: 5-15% of pediatric arrests are V.Fib: Peds arrest is primarily due to a respiratory insult (we are aware of this).…

Bacterial Tracheitis

Epiglottitis? Think Tracheitis too! • Considered bacterial tracheitis in a patient who has fever, stridor, and symptoms that does not respond to therapy for croup (racemic epinephrine and steroids). • Additionally, that toxic appearing child that you think looks like…

Meningococcemia and Petechiae

Often it is stated that fever and petechial rash equates to meningococcemia (or serious bacterial blood stream infection) until proven otherwise… is that correct? Yes and No. You should have this on your differential, but nothing in life is that…

Inborn Errors of Metabolism presenting in the ED

Often our job requires us to consider the presence of needles of significant illness in the haystack of nonspecific symptoms. Inborn Errors of Metabolism For the child with neurologic abnormalities, vomiting, acidosis, hypoglycemia, organomegaly, or cardiopulmonary arrest remember to consider…

Posterior DIslocation of Sternoclavicular Joint

• An uncommon condition, but a true emergency (and we just managed one on 9/2/10)• May be difficult to diagnose:⇒ Physical exam – swelling over the area may prevent you from discerning the lack of the presence of the clavicular…