Posts by JETem

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Achalasia: An Uncommon Presentation with Classic Imaging

Joseph Adamson, BS*, Mina Altwail, MD^ and Shanna Jones, MD^

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J86D2BIssue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
The chest X-ray demonstrated a markedly widened mediastinum (red brackets), raising concern for thoracic aortic aneurysm/aortic dissection, which prompted labs and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the chest. The CT revealed a dilated proximal esophagus that narrowed distally (yellow tracing and red arrow), with particulate material, mass-effect on the trachea (purple outline), and bilateral patchy opacities suggesting aspiration. Barium esophagram showed a drastically dilated esophagus filled with contrast (yellow arrow), terminating into the classic “bird’s beak sign” (red arrow) at the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Esophageal manometry later confirmed achalasia, proving that widened mediastina can have unexpected etiologies.
Abdominal/GastroenterologyVisual EM
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Right Ventricular Dilation in Patient With Submassive Pulmonary Embolism

Adrian Diez, MD* and Christopher Bryczkowski, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J82P84Issue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
Bedside echocardiography four chamber view revealed enlarged right ventricular (RV) to left ventricular (LV) ratio (greater than 1) on apical four-chamber view (see red and blue outlines respectively). The right atrium is not clearly delineated in this image and therefore is not outlined. One can also rule out a large pericardial effusion as the cause of her dyspnea, since there is no large hypoechoic collection surrounding the heart on either four- chamber view or parasternal long view.
Cardiology/VascularVisual EM
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Traumatic Hyphema

James Roy Waymack, MD* and Mark Baker, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8Z04SIssue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
Upon initial evaluation, the patient had an obvious hyphema in the right eye with associated conjunctival injection. Initially, the bleeding in the anterior chamber was cloudy just above the level of the pupil (yellow arrow), appearing to possibly be a grade II hyphema. There were no other signs of trauma to the eye under Wood’s lamp examination with fluorescein staining. The globe was intact. Intraocular pressure in the affected eye was 19 mmHg and 15 mmHg in the unaffected eye. Extraocular movements were full and intact. The pupil was 4 mm round and reactive to direct and consensual light. Visual acuity was greater than 20/200 in the affected eye compared to 20/25 in the unaffected eye. After an observation period of two hours, with the patient remaining upright, the hyphema had settled down to a rim in the lower anterior chamber (green arrow), a grade I hyphema.
OphthalmologyVisual EM
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Point of Care Ultrasound Illustrating Small Bowel Obstruction

Badriah Alruwaili, MBBS* and Shadi Lahham, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8T637Issue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
POCUS of the small bowel illustrated significantly dilated loops of bowel (white line), thickened bowel wall (white arrow) and to-and-fro peristalsis, consistent with small bowel obstruction.
Abdominal/GastroenterologyUltrasoundVisual EM

The Use of a Social Media Based Curriculum for Newly Matched Interns Transitioning into Emergency Medicine Residency

Joel C Park, MD*, Miriam Kulkarni, MD* and Mary McLean, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8F92GIssue 3:2[mrp_rating_result]
This curriculum is designed to bridge this gap by fostering an environment in which incoming interns can communicate, collaborate, and practice clinical reasoning with each other and faculty prior to their arrival in residency. The goals and objectives were tailored to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) level 1 milestones in patient care. 1) Interpret basic ECGs; 2) Demonstrate ability to interpret basic radiographs; 3) Identify common visual diagnoses; 4) Identify common neurological emergencies on head imaging; 5) Recognize basic airway anatomy; 6) Demonstrate successful application of FOAMed resources to clinical cases; 7) Interpret common ultrasound images; 8) Describe common ED procedures; 9) Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of evidence-based medicine and biostatistics 
Miscellaneous (stats, etc)Innovations

Bell’s Palsy

Patrick G Meloy, MD*, Todd A Taylor, MD*, Chris Dudley, MD* and Michelle D Lall, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J89G9M Issue 3:2[mrp_rating_result]
At the end of this oral boards session, examinees will: 1) Demonstrate ability to perform a thorough neurologic examination including full cranial nerve exam, National Institutes of Health (NIH) stroke scale assessment, strength and sensation and reflex testing, pronator drift, speech repetition. 2) Differentiate between Bell’s Palsy and acute stroke with facial paralysis. 3) List appropriate laboratory testing for a case of peripheral facial nerve paralysis (basic metabolic panel [BMP]; complete blood count [CBC]; coagulation studies if considering lumbar puncture; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test if high-risk by history, or if bilateral; Lyme titer if in endemic area, or if bilateral). 4) Select appropriate treatments (steroids, eye lubricant and patch, PCP referral) for peripheral facial nerve paralysis.
NeurologyCertifying Exam Cases

High Fidelity In Situ Shoulder Dystocia Simulation

Andrew Pelikan, MD* and Timothy Koboldt, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J88305D Issue 3:2[mrp_rating_result]
At the end of this simulation, learners will: 1) Recognize impending delivery and mobilize appropriate resources (ie, both obstetrics [OB] and NICU/pediatrics); 2) Identify risk factors for shoulder dystocia based on history and physical; 3) Recognize shoulder dystocia during delivery; 4) Demonstrate maneuvers to relieve shoulder dystocia; 5) Communicate with team members and nursing staff during resuscitation of a critically ill patient.
Ob/GynSimulation

Fainting Spells

Brittany Guest, DO*, Amir Rouhani, MD* and Steven Lai, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8Z91R Issue 3:2[mrp_rating_result]
ABSTRACT: Audience: The target audience for this simulation is 4th year medical students, emergency medicine residents, pediatric residents, and family medicine residents. Introduction: Brugada syndrome is defined as the combination of specific electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and clinical manifestations of a ventricular arrhythmia, including syncope and sudden cardiac arrest.1 Brugada syndrome is caused by a mutation in the phase-0 cardiac sodium channel. This
Cardiology/VascularSimulation