Posts by JETem

In-Flight Emergency: Altered Mental Status Secondary to Hypoglycemia

Nichole Niknafs, DO*, Robert Katzer, MD^ and Alisa Wray, MD^

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J84M01 Issue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
By the end of this simulation session, learners will be able to: 1) Discuss the challenges associated with in-flight emergencies. 2) List what is available in United States (US) commercial airline medical kits. 3) Discuss an appropriate differential diagnosis for a patient with altered mental status (AMS). 4) Demonstrate appropriate treatment of hypoglycemia. 5) Describe possible complications in diabetic patients with insulin pumps when flying. 6) Review the legal ramifications of responding to an in-flight emergency.
EndocrineSimulation
Creative Commons images

Bedside Ultrasound of Retinal Detachment in a 19-year-old

Rami San Gabriel, BS*, Maili Alvarado, MD* and Vy Han, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J80W6TIssue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
The ocular point of care ultrasound (POCUS) utilizing a high frequency linear probe shows a retinal detachment (RD) with a thick, hyperechoic undulating membrane in the vitreous humor that is anchored at the ora serrata anteriorly and the optic disc posteriorly. Note that the retina is detached all the way to the optic disc making it "mac off." The macula, and more specifically the fovea, is located in the central retina and contains a high concentration of cone photoreceptors responsible for central, high resolution, color vision. In a "mac on" RD, the retina detaches in the periphery but remains intact centrally. This is an ophthalmologic emergency and timely diagnosis and intervention can be vision saving. This patient also has evidence of a posterior vitreous hemorrhage which has a characteristic swirling appearance with kinetic exam on real-time imaging. The detached vitreous body is not as well defined and is not anchored posteriorly to the optic disc.
OphthalmologyVisual EM
Creative Commons images

Bullous Emphysema

Valerie Lew, MD*, John Costumbrado, MD, MPH^ and Steven Kim, MD^

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8W62GIssue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
The upright chest X-ray shows a large lucent area in the left lower lung field without lung markings, with associated curvilinear opacities (yellow arrows) consistent with a large air-filled bulla. The bulla is large enough to compress adjacent lung tissue as shown by the visible pleural line (blue line). The discontinuity of the pleural line and presence of lung markings superiorly makes these findings more consistent with bulla than pneumothorax. The chest computed tomography (CT) confirmed a large left hemithorax bulla.
RespiratoryVisual EM
Creative Commons images

The Role of Chest X-Ray and Bedside Ultrasound in Diagnosing Pulmonary Bleb versus Pneumothorax

Mohamad Moussa, MD* and Venkat Reddy Vaddamani, BS*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8MP7QIssue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
The patient was evaluated with bedside ultrasound for concern of possible pneumothorax. Imaging of the left lung with M-mode demonstrated a “sea shore” sign showing a wavy pattern below the pleural line caused by lung sliding as well as “comet tail” artifact caused by from the deep pleura. However, there was no lung sliding on the right shown by a lack of “comet tail” artifact and a “bar code” sign where M-mode shows straight lines throughout the image, this is caused by lack of motion below the pleura. This lack of lung sliding is consistent with possible pneumothorax or bleb.  A two-view chest X-ray (CXR) revealed absent lung parenchyma in the right lung similar to a large pneumothorax (see red outline). Electronic medical record chart review revealed previous CXRs with similar findings. This patient was determined to have an acute COPD exacerbation with chronic blebs, but no pneumothorax.
RespiratoryVisual EM
Creative Commons images

Fight Bite with Tendon Laceration

Michelle Chang, MD*, Grant Wei, MD*, Christopher J Bryczkowski, MD*, Sha Yan, DO* and Chirag N Shah, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8MP7QIssue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
The video shows a water bath ultrasound of the right 4th digit, demonstrating soft tissue swelling with a hypoechoic region along the tendon consistent with edema and tendon disruption (see video and annotated still image).
OrthopedicsTraumaVisual EM
Creative Commons images

Recurrent Sigmoid Volvulus in a Young Female

Ahmed Farhat, BS* and Robert Rowe, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8GW5SIssue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis was obtained revealing a colonic volvulus in the left mid to upper abdomen (blue arrow) involving the distal transverse colon and descending colon, with gaseous colonic distention to 8.5 cm (red arrow). The characteristic “whirl pattern” is also present (yellow arrow). These findings are suggestive of a high-grade colonic obstruction. It was without evidence of pneumoperitoneum, pneumatosis, or drainable collection. Of note, a 3.6 cm dermoid tumor is also observable in the left adnexa (green arrow).
Abdominal/GastroenterologyVisual EM
Creative Commons images

Bilateral Tibia/Fibula Fractures in Automobile versus Pedestrian Accident

Kevin Roy, BS* and Jonathan Peña, MD*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8C636 Issue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
Plain film shows severely comminuted and displaced mid tibia/fibula fractures of bilateral lower extremities (red arrows) and comminuted right fibular head (blue arrow) and proximal shaft fracture (yellow arrow).
OrthopedicsVisual EM
Creative Commons images

A Rare Cause of Pelvic Pain in a Teenage Girl

Amber Marie Hathcock, MD, MPH*, Manish I Shah, MD, MS*, Jennifer E Dietrich, MD, MSc^ and Esther M Sampayo, MD, MPH*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J87D0WIssue 3:3[mrp_rating_result]
Due to pain out of proportion to her exam, an ultrasound of her pelvis was obtained and showed a blood-filled distended uterus, or hematometrocolpos (white arrow), with a 4.9 cm right ovarian cyst (blue arrow). A pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) then revealed an obstructed right hemi-vagina, normal left uterus and vagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (red arrow) with normal left kidney (double arrow) consistent with obstructed hemivagina, ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA) syndrome. The patient underwent surgical repair with complete resolution of symptoms.
Ob/GynVisual EM