Visual EM

Case Report: Acute Supraglottitis

Jamie Robin Chu, MD^* and Jonathan G Rogg, MD, MBA^{^}

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8006V Issue 5:1 No ratings yet.

On arrival, radiographs of the neck soft tissues were obtained, which showed a markedly enlarged epiglottic shadow (red arrow) concerning for epiglottitis. A computed tomography scan of the neck soft tissues with contrast was then obtained which revealed edematous mucosal thickening of the oropharynx (blue arrow) and supraglottic larynx (green arrow) including the epiglottis (purple arrow) concerning for acute infectious pharyngitis and supraglottic laryngitis with severe narrowing of the supraglottic laryngeal lumen, as well as associated extensive inflammation and edema of the superficial and deep left neck spaces. The patient’s white blood cell count was elevated to 25.7x109/L with 87% neutrophils. Her rapid strep test was positive. Otolaryngology was consulted and performed a bedside flexible laryngoscopy which showed significant edema of the epiglottis (orange arrow), vocal cords (white arrow), and arytenoids (black arrow), left greater than right. Based on the findings and concern for impending respiratory failure, the patient received an awake fiberoptic intubation by anesthesia at the bedside.

Case Report of the Unusual Presentation of Stridor in an Elderly Patient Following a Cervical Fracture

Benjamin Travers, BS^*, Rachel Dearden, MD^{^}, Shanna Jones, MD^{^}, and Michael Opsommer, MD^{^}

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8V926 Issue 5:1 No ratings yet.

The cervical CT was significant for a transverse fracture through the C4 vertebral body (see red arrow), lateral facet (green arrow), spinous process (blue arrow), and right lamina (purple arrow) as well as surrounding edema and retropharyngeal thickening (yellow line), best appreciated on sagittal view.

Visual EM Orthopedics Respiratory

Henoch-Schönlein Purpura in the Adult

Ivan Virovets, DO^* and Danielle Biggs, MD^*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8QH08 Issue 5:1 No ratings yet.

The images show a raised, palpable, purpuric rash on the lower extremities, surrounded by a mild, 1+ non-pitting edema. Several of the lesions are exfoliated with serous discharge. There is no surrounding erythema, fluctuance, or lymphangitis to suggest cellulitis. There was no tenderness to palpation; however, pruritus was exacerbated on palpation.

Dermatology Cardiology/Vascular Visual EM

Digital Nerve Block for the Reduction of a Proximal Phalanx Fracture of the Foot – a Case Report

Emerald Raney, MD^*, John Costumbrado, MD, MPH^*, Barbara Blasko, MD^*and Dev Dhillon, BS^{^}

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8KS8T Issue 5:1 No ratings yet.

Plain film of the right foot showed evidence of an oblique fracture of the body of the proximal 4th phalanx (image 2). No other acute traumatic injuries noted in the rest of the bones and joints of the right foot. After performing a digital block of the toe and reduction, repeat imaging showed evidence of successful reduction with anatomic alignment and redemonstration of the fracture line (image 3).

Visual EM Orthopedics

Case Report: Antifreeze Ingestion and Urine Fluorescence

Taras Varshavsky, MD^* and Meigra Myers Chin, MD^*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8G05T Issue 5:1 No ratings yet.

The patient’s urine sample (right) was compared to a control (left) using a Wood’s lamp. It revealed light green fluorescence under ultraviolet light, which increased suspicion for ethylene glycol poisoning from antifreeze ingestion.

Toxicology Visual EM

Open Subtalar Dislocation

Devan Pandya, MD^* and Joseph Fargusson, MD^*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J87P8PIssue 4:4 No ratings yet.

X-ray of the left ankle revealed a complete dislocation of the subtalar joint with medial dislocation of the calcaneus (outlined in orange) relative to the talus (outlined in red) with subcutaneous air noted in the lateral soft tissues (blue arrows in Figure 1). The talonavicular joint has also been disrupted (navicular outlined in blue). There was no evidence of fracture. Post-reduction computed tomography of the left lower extremity confirmed no evidence of associated fracture.

Orthopedics Visual EM

Atypical Presentation of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Michael Rohinton Mirza, MD^* and Christopher Bryczkowski, MD^*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J82W6F Issue 4:4 No ratings yet.

Bedside ultrasound revealed an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with concern for dissection vs thrombus/hematoma due to an area of echogenicity within the lumen of the vessel, since normal blood vessels (including the aorta) have lumens that are uniformly anechoic. An intimal flap concerning for dissection appears as a hyperechoic stripe within the lumen of the vessel on ultrasound, often with a hypoechoic and/or anechoic area appreciated underneath the flap, indicating a separate area of blood flow. If this visualized area is of significant size, color doppler can be used to confirm blood flow on both sides of the flap. Given his bedside ultrasound findings, the patient underwent emergent computed tomography scan and was found to have an enlarged infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, with acute intramural hematoma, extending into bilateral common iliac arteries.

Cardiology/Vascular Visual EM

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Measured by Point of Care Ultrasound Suprasternal Notch View

Hamid Ehsani-Nia, DO^* and Christopher Bryczkowski, MD^*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8Z64V Issue 4:4 No ratings yet.

Point-of-care cardiac echocardiogram demonstrated a dilated ascending aorta (illustrated in red) measuring approximately 4 cm in the parasternal long axis (PLAX). A dilated aortic arch (illustrated in green) also measuring approximately 4 cm was appreciated using the suprasternal notch view (SSNV). A follow-up computed tomography angiogram (CTA) was performed, validating bedside ultrasound measurements.

Uncategorized Cardiology/Vascular Visual EM

Incarcerated Ventral Hernia of T-colon Resulting in Colon Perforation and Intraabdominal Abscess

Shu-Chen Han, MD^*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J83W74 Issue 4:4 No ratings yet.

History of present illness: A 75-year-old female with a remote history of rectal cancer presented to the emergency department with acute right upper abdominal pain. The pain had begun suddenly after lunch. On review of systems, the patient had mild nausea. Initial vital signs were within normal limit. She denied fever, chills, or vomiting. The physical examination revealed a distended,

Abdominal/Gastroenterology Visual EM

Ultrasonographic Findings of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture

Charles Craig Rudy, MD^{*^}, John A Thompson, MD^* and Rachel R Bengtzen, MD^{*^}

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8063S Issue 4:4 No ratings yet.

The ultrasound video clip shows a longitudinal view of the AT during a dynamic exam. While the patient’s foot is gently passively dorsi/plantar flexed, the video demonstrates first a normal Achilles tendon (from the unaffected extremity) without disruption (highlighted by a yellow bracket on screen left). Then it shows an abnormal tendon (the patient’s affected side) with disruption of the typical linear tendon fibers (red arrow identifies area of rupture). Dynamic testing shows the movement of the distal stump of the AT is evident adjacent to hypoechoic fluid that is reactive edema or blood from the acute rupture.

Orthopedics Visual EM