Adrenal crisis or insufficiency is a life threatening emergency due to the lack of glucocorticoid. Adrenal crisis can be primary due to destruction of the adrenal cortex (Addison’s), or secondary due to down regulation (chronic steroid use) Read more
Category: speciality
Dental Abscess
Dental Abscess requires a Dentist for Definitive Treatment
Symptoms:
- Dental Pain
- Unpleasant taste
- Fever and Malaise
- Trismus
- Dysphagia
- Facial Swelling
- Regional Lymphadenopathy
- Tooth Decay
- Gum Swelling or tenderness
- Purulent Exudate
Octaplex – work fast its an EMERGENCY!
- Activate EARLY in head injury patients on warfarin.
- Order on EPR & Paper [see below]
- Infuse over no more than 30 min
- Recheck INR at 30 min after finished infusion
Indications
- EMERGENCY reversal of Warfain
- Factor II or X deficiency
Read more
Vertigo in ED
Vertigo is not always labyrinthitis!! There are some potentially serious conditions to think about. Your main question should be is it peripheral [good] or central [bad]?
Giant Cell Arteritis – GCA
GCA is a is a vasculitis generally seen in the over 50’s and associated with polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR). However, unlike a lot of rheumatology, GCA is far from a benign condition that can be passed back to the GP’s, it can lead to some significant problems
- Sudden irreversible visual loss
- Development of thoracic aortic aneurysm
Methaemoglobinaemia
Q: Why are Smurf’s Blue?
A: Methaemoglobin (MetHb) of course!
– MetHb is produced by oxidisation of the Iron in Haemoglobin (Hb) from Fe2+ to Fe3+
– Fe3+ prevents Hb carrying oxygen (thus produces symptoms of hypoxia)
– Often due to chemical ingestion, but may also be genetic
– Treated with Methyl Blue & supportive measures
Hypernatraemia
Hypernatraemia is a not a common presentation in ED, as intense thirst often prevents significant hypernatraemia in neurologically intact individuals. So… Mortality rates are high (20-70%) and the severity of hypernatraemia has been shown be an independent predictor of mortality.
However, there is little good data on hypernatremia to base guidance on, and definitions vary within the literature
Retrobulbar haemorrhage
What is retrobulbar haemorrhage?
- Rapidly progressing haemorrhage into the retrobulbar space which is rare but potentially sight threatening.
- Retrobulbar haemorrhage causes a rapid rise in intraorbital volume and pressure.
- If not treated it can quickly lead to retinal ischaemia and infarction resulting in permanent visual impairment or complete visual loss.
Measles
Suspected/Confirmed patients should be ISOLATED & wear PPE
Treating Staff – (should not be; non-immunised, pregnant or immunocompromised)
- single-use, disposable gloves
- single-use, disposable apron (or gown if extensive splashing or spraying, or performing an aerosol generating procedure (AGP))
- FFP3 – respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
- eye/face protection (goggles or visor)
Patient
- Surgical face mask
Background
- Measles is highly infectious – (4 day prior to and after rash appears) suspected patients should be isolated within the ED
- Measles Immunisation – 1 dose 90% effective, 2 doses 95% effective
- Measles is a notifiable disease
