Visual EM
Open Chest Wound with Sternal Fracture in the Emergency Department, a Case Report
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5070/M5.52202The image demonstrates the large chronic-appearing wound of the patient’s anterior chest as well as the visible fractured segments of the patient’s exposed sternum. The sternum is necrotic appearing concerning for a chronic process including osteomyelitis and malignancy. Purulent drainage is visible on the wound consistent with an infectious process.
Effects of Volume Overload: A Case Report of an Edema Bulla
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5070/M5.52206This image shows a large edema bulla on the patient's right shin. The bulla is 10 x 10 cm, filled with serous fluid, has a spontaneously occurring defect in the skin of the superior portion of the bulla, and is non-erythematous. The bulla is much larger than the 1-5 cm edema bullae described in the literature. As edema bulla is primarily a clinical diagnosis, taking the full history and physical exam into account is essential to recognize these bullae.
A Case Report of Carotid Cavernous Fistula: A Commonly Missed Diagnosis
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5070/M5.52242The initial physical exam performed by the ED provider revealed severe left eye chemosis, clear drainage, visual acuity of right eye 20/100 and left eye 20/400, and a left eye IOP of 52. There was a deficit of extraocular movement in all directions of gaze and limitation in all visual fields in the left eye. The MRI showed that at the level of the eye, the left cavernous sinus is asymmetrically enlarged compared to the right (red arrow) with an enlarged left inferior petrosal sinus with internal flow void on the pre-contrast MRI images (blue arrow). The orange arrow notes a central filling defect of the left superior ophthalmic vein on the MRA.
Case Report of a Patient Presenting with Nonketotic Hyperglycemia Hemichorea
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52115Laboratory tests indicated elevated blood glucose levels (198 mg/dL) with no urinary ketones, anion gap of 12, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) of 12 UIU/ml, and an increased glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 14.9%. After initial stroke evaluation with neurology, imaging studies, including computed tomography (CT)/CT angiography (CTA) of the brain and neck, were unremarkable, ruling out structural lesions or acute stroke. Neurology recommended an MRI which showed T1 shortening within the left basal ganglia involving both the caudate nucleus and the lentiform nucleus. T1 shortening indicates changes in the tissue composition or structure that alters how the tissue responds to the MRI pulse, giving the tissue a brighter appearance on MRI (see white arrow).
Case Report of a Dermatologic Reaction to Wound Closure Strips and Liquid Adhesive
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8.52256The patient removed the splint, and the wound were notable for erythematous bullae (blue arrow), blisters (yellow arrow), and skin maceration (red arrow) in the distribution under the wound closure strips. Of note, there was no surrounding erythema with poorly defined borders.
Metastatic Calcinosis Cutis in the Emergency Department: A Case Report
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J87Q00X-ray imaging was obtained of the left elbow and showed soft tissue calcium deposits. Radiology stated, “massive periarticular calcinosis of renal failure obscures fine osseous detail. Several of the largest calcifications have decompressed since the prior exam and may contribute to the drainage observed clinically. Superimposed infection is not excluded.” X-rays with an asterisk are the comparison images from two months previous to the visit. Areas of decompression are highlighted in blue demonstrating that some of the larger calcified nodules are no longer present.
A Case Report of Facial Swelling and Crepitus Following a Dental Procedure
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J83W8HGiven the physical exam findings of crepitus on the right neck up to the right lower eyelid, a maxillofacial CT scan without contrast was performed. It revealed diffuse subcutaneous air within the soft tissues of the face and neck and free air within the pre-septal soft tissue of the right eye, appearing as hyperlucent (dark) areas on CT within the soft tissue planes (blue outline). It showed no evidence of post-septal free air. A single-view chest X-ray was also performed and was unremarkable except for incompletely imaged soft tissue gas in the right lower neck (blue outline). On flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy performed by ENT, the oropharynx appeared diffusely edematous and narrowed.
Case Report of Post-Operative Uvular Necrosis Following Intubation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J8065JThe distal portion of her uvula was necrotic with a clear demarcation approximately halfway up the uvula. She had no trauma to the anterior oropharyngeal structures, tonsils, or adenoids. There were no lesions to the hard or soft palate. She had no carotid bruits or thrills, and no tenderness over the anterior portion of the neck.