Author: Christine Collins

Friday Board Review

Board Review by Dr. Edward Guo

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A 24 year old male with no past medical history presents to the ED for a snake bite. He collects snakes as a hobby, and his pet copperhead bit him on his left arm yesterday. Today, he woke up with pain and paresthesias over his left forearm. Vital signs are: Temp 99.8, HR 92, BP 132/90, RR 16, SpO2 98% RA. Exam shows two punctate lesions over the volar aspect of his forearm with mild surrounding erythema and no bleeding or drainage. There is a palpable radial pulse. The forearm is firm and tender to light palpation, and passive flexion of the wrist causes severe pain. 4 mg of IV morphine does not provide any relief. Which of the following is the next best step in management?

A: administer crotalidae polyvalent immune Fab

B: consult general surgery

C: mark surrounding area of erythema and monitor for progression

D: repeat another dose of 4 mg IV morphine

Answer: administer crotalidae polyvalent immune Fab

Compartment syndrome is a rare but known complication of snake bites. The first-line treatment of compartment syndrome in the setting of a snake bite is anti-venom as it is the effect of the venom on tissues that causes elevated compartment pressures. If compartment pressures continue to rise after administration of antivenom, consulting general surgery for a fasciotomy is a last resort intervention. Marking the lead edge of erythema and edema is wise to monitor for progression, but treatment of compartment syndrome should not be delayed. Another dose of IV morphine is not the definitive treatment for this condition.

References:
Dart R.C., & White J (2020). Snakebite. Tintinalli J.E., & Ma O, & Yealy D.M., & Meckler G.D., & Stapczynski J, & Cline D.M., & Thomas S.H.(Eds.), Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 9e. McGraw Hill.

Wednesday Image Review

What’s the Diagnosis? By Dr. Edward Guo

Christine CollinsLeave a comment

A 44 year old female presents for anterior neck pain and chest pain. She first noticed neck pain yesterday. This morning the pain has radiated into her chest. Symptoms are worse with swallowing. Patient denies fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, vomiting, or voice change, or difficulty eating/drinking. Chest x-ray is shown below. What’s the diagnosis?

Answer: pneumomediastinum (see separation of pericardium from heart border)

  • May also present with physical exam finding of “Hamman’s crunch” on heart auscultation 
  • Important to distinguish between primary (spontaneous/idiopathic) and secondary (traumatic, intrinsic lung disease, iatrogenic, and esophageal rupture)
    • Rule out secondary with advanced imaging modalities such as non-contrast CT chest and upper GI gastrograffin swallow study
  • Treatment is supportive care
  • Spontaneous pneumomediastinum may be discharged from ED with close outpatient follow up for repeat imaging

References:

Wang Y.L., & Jones D (2020). Pulmonary trauma. Tintinalli J.E., & Ma O, & Yealy D.M., & Meckler G.D., & Stapczynski J, & Cline D.M., & Thomas S.H.(Eds.), Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 9e. McGraw Hill.

Bakhos, C. T., Pupovac, S. S., Ata, A., Fantauzzi, J. P., & Fabian, T. (2014). Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: an extensive workup is not required. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 219(4), 713–717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2014.06.001

Smith, B. A., & Ferguson, D. B. (1991). Disposition of spontaneous pneumomediastinum. The American journal of emergency medicine, 9(3), 256–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/0735-6757(91)90090-7