scholarly journals Survival after multiple nail gun injuries to the brain, lung, and heart: a case report and a review of the literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 030006052110499
Author(s):  
Suo-Hsien Wang ◽  
Mao-Yu Chen ◽  
Jiun-Lin Yan ◽  
Tzu-Yen Huang ◽  
Che-Chia Chang ◽  
...  

Most nail gun injuries involve the extremities and result from work-related accidents. Injuries to the brain or thorax are relatively rare, and cases with injuries to both regions are even rarer and often lethal. Initial evaluation, resuscitation, and surgical planning can be challenging for emergency physicians and surgeons. We present the details of a man with multiple nail gun injuries to the brain, lung, and heart following a suicide attempt. The patient presented to the emergency department in shock. After immediate resuscitation, emergent sternotomy, and subsequent craniotomy, he was discharged without significant morbidity. According to the literature, this is the only reported case involving multiple nail gun injuries to the brain, lungs, and heart. The mortality rate of multiple nail gun injuries involving the head and chest is approximately 20%. Rapid evaluation, immediate resuscitation, and appropriate imaging and surgery are crucial for increasing survival and achieving a good prognosis. Emergency sternotomy for cardiac injury is the foremost priority, and the timing of craniotomy depends on the patient’s vital sign status and whether brain injury is evident. A preprint of this article is available online: DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-35448/v1.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suo-Hsien Wang ◽  
Mao-Yu Chen ◽  
Tzu-Yen Huang ◽  
Che-Chia Chang ◽  
Chih-Ying Chien

Abstract Background: Most nail gun injuries occur at the extremities due to working accidents. Injuries to the brain or thorax are relatively rare, and cases with both injuries are even rarer. Initial evaluation, resuscitation and surgical planning can be challenging. Case presentation: Here, we present a case with nail gun injuries to the brain, lung, and heart by suicide attempt. The patient presented to the emergency department under shock. After resuscitation and surgical intervention, he was discharged without significant morbidity. Conclusions: Multiple nail gun injuries, especially those to vital organs such as the brain, lung, and heart, can be challenging to emergency physicians and surgeons. Imaging tools, treatment strategies, and possible complications are discussed in this article to provide optimized outcomes in such situations.


CJEM ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 1 (02) ◽  
pp. 121-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ron Matthews

Practically speaking, bedside ultrasound is well within the scope of emergency physicians (EPs) and is gaining acceptance. The literature supports the use of limited, goal-directed ultrasound in the diagnosis of many emergent conditions. EPs should use ultrasound as a tool to answer specific questions (e.g., Is there blood in the belly?); they should not surf the body for clues. ED ultrasound offers rapid evaluation of potentially life-threatening conditions


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 450-453
Author(s):  
Samuel Nesemann ◽  
Kimberly Hubbard ◽  
Mehdi Siddiqui ◽  
William Fernandez

Introduction: Rectal foreign bodies (RFB) pose a challenge to emergency physicians. Patients are not often forthcoming, which can lead to delays to intervention. Thus, RFBs require a heightened clinical suspicion. In the emergency department (ED), extraction may require creative methods to prevent need for surgical intervention. Case Report: The authors present a case of a successful extraction of a RFB in the ED and review of the literature. Conclusion: Retained RFBs are an unusually problematic reason for an ED visit. Thus, it is important for emergency physicians to be comfortable managing such cases appropriately.


Author(s):  
Francesco Gavelli ◽  
Luigi Mario Castello ◽  
Gian Carlo Avanzi

AbstractEarly management of sepsis and septic shock is crucial for patients’ prognosis. As the Emergency Department (ED) is the place where the first medical contact for septic patients is likely to occur, emergency physicians play an essential role in the early phases of patient management, which consists of accurate initial diagnosis, resuscitation, and early antibiotic treatment. Since the issuing of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines in 2016, several studies have been published on different aspects of sepsis management, adding a substantial amount of new information on the pathophysiology and treatment of sepsis and septic shock. In light of this emerging evidence, the present narrative review provides a comprehensive account of the recent advances in septic patient management in the ED.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e242370
Author(s):  
Jiodany Perez ◽  
Stefani Sorensen ◽  
Michael Rosselli

Prompt recognition and treatment of septic arthritis are crucial to prevent significant morbidity and mortality in affected patients. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, anchoring bias may make an already challenging diagnosis like septic arthritis more difficult to diagnose quickly and efficiently. Musculoskeletal (MSK) point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) is an imaging modality that can be used to quickly and efficiently obtain objective findings that may help a clinician establish the diagnosis of septic arthritis. We report a case where MSK POCUS was a key element in establishing the diagnosis of glenohumeral joint septic arthritis and subdeltoid septic bursitis for a patient that presented to the emergency department with a fever during the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Author(s):  
Emma K. Austin ◽  
Carole James ◽  
John Tessier

Pneumoconiosis, or occupational lung disease, is one of the world’s most prevalent work-related diseases. Silicosis, a type of pneumoconiosis, is caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust. Although silicosis can be fatal, it is completely preventable. Hundreds of thousands of workers globally are at risk of being exposed to RCS at the workplace from various activities in many industries. Currently, in Australia and internationally, there are a range of methods used for the respiratory surveillance of workers exposed to RCS. These methods include health and exposure questionnaires, spirometry, chest X-rays, and HRCT. However, these methods predominantly do not detect the disease until it has significantly progressed. For this reason, there is a growing body of research investigating early detection methods for silicosis, particularly biomarkers. This literature review summarises the research to date on early detection methods for silicosis and makes recommendations for future work in this area. Findings from this review conclude that there is a critical need for an early detection method for silicosis, however, further laboratory- and field-based research is required.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 816
Author(s):  
Javier Montero

Background: The treatment plan of prosthetic restorations supported by dental implants requires comprehensive scientific knowledge to deliver prostheses with good prognosis, even before the implant insertion. This review aims to analyze the main prosthetic determinants of the prognosis of implant-supported prostheses. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted with a PICO (Patient Intervention Comparison Outcomes) question: “For partially or complete edentulous subjects treated with implant-supported prostheses, which prosthetic factors could affect clinical outcomes?”. A literature search was performed electronically in PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus and Cochrane Library with the following equation [PROGNOS * OR RISK] FACTOR IMPLANT DENTAL, and by hand search in relevant journals and throughout the selected papers. Results: This revision was carried out based on 50 papers focused on several prosthodontics-related risk factors that were grouped as follows: implant-connection, loading protocol, transmucosal abutments, prosthetic fit, provisionalization, type of retention, impression technique, fabrication technique, and occlusion. More than a half of the studies were systematic reviews (30%), meta-analysis (16%), or prospective evaluations of prosthesis with various kinds of events (18%). However, narrative reviews of literature (14%) and in vitro/animal studies (16%) were also found. Conclusions: The current literature provides insufficient evidence for most of the investigated topics. However, based on the accumulated data, it seems reasonable to defend that the best treatment approach is the use of morse taper implants with transmucosal abutments, recorded by means of rigidly splinted copings through the pick-up technique, and screwed by milled prosthesis occlusally adjusted to minimize functional overloading.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352199698
Author(s):  
Sophia Aguirre ◽  
Kristen M Jogerst ◽  
Zachary Ginsberg ◽  
Sandeep Voleti ◽  
Puneet Bhullar ◽  
...  

Emergency physician empathy and communication is increasingly important and influences patient satisfaction. This study investigated if there is a need for improvement in provider empathy and communication in our emergency department and what areas could be targeted for future improvement. Patients cared for by emergency physicians with the lowest satisfaction scores were surveyed within 1 week of discharge. Patients rated their emergency provider’s empathy and communication and provided feedback on the patient–provider interaction. Compared to survey responses nationally, our providers fell between the 10th and 25th percentiles for all questions, except question 5 (making a plan of action with [the patient]) which was between the 5th and 10th percentile. Areas most frequently cited for improvement were “wanting to know why” (N = 30), “time is short” (N = 15), and “listen to the patient” (N = 13). Survey percentiles and open-ended suggestions demonstrate a need for providers to give thorough explanations, spend more time with the patient, and demonstrate active listening. These themes can be used to strengthen the provider–patient relationship.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Miklovic ◽  
Philip Davis

ABSTRACT A 37-year-old male presented to the emergency department with the complaint of periumbilical abdominal pain, radiating to just above pubic symphysis. The patient reported that the pain was worse with urination and associated with chills and nausea. This case reports discusses the Emergency Department (ED) course and subsequent treatment of a patient found to have an infected urachal cyst, a previously asymptomatic embryological anomaly in an otherwise healthy middle-aged adult male. This is a crucial diagnosis to make in order to avoid the potential for significant morbidity and/or mortality, given the unlikely symptomatic source.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Javidan ◽  
◽  
K. Hansen ◽  
I. Higginson ◽  
P. Jones ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To develop comprehensive guidance that captures international impacts, causes, and solutions related to emergency department crowding and access block Methods Emergency physicians representing 15 countries from all IFEM regions composed the Task Force. Monthly meetings were held via video-conferencing software to achieve consensus for report content. The report was submitted and approved by the IFEM Board on June 1, 2020. Results A total of 14 topic dossiers, each relating to an aspect of ED crowding, were researched and completed collaboratively by members of the Task Force. Conclusions The IFEM report is a comprehensive document intended to be used in whole or by section to inform and address aspects of ED crowding and access block. Overall, ED crowding is a multifactorial issue requiring systems-wide solutions applied at local, regional, and national levels. Access block is the predominant contributor of ED crowding in most parts of the world.


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