Annual emergency department visits for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are on the rise nationwide, and an increased incidence of abscesses is the likely culprit. MRSA is quickly emerging as the most common cause of purulent SSTIs, and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) remains a cost-effective first line enteral antimicrobial to treat it. The primary treatment for a cutaneous abscess is incision and drainage (I&D),
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Journal Review
TMP-SMX vs. Placebo in the Treatment of Superficial Abscesses
Core
Herpes Keratitis
Herpes keratitis is relatively common and can result in vision loss when diagnosis and management are delayed.
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Journal Review
Immediate + Delayed ICH in Patients on Warfarin or Clopidogrel
Warfarin and clopidogrel are two commonly prescribed anticoagulant medications, and based on previous studies, patients taking either of these medications who suffer blunt head trauma are at an increased risk for traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Additionally, there is concern that patients on these agents can have delayed traumatic ICH (traumatic ICH occurring within 2 weeks after an initially normal CT scan result in the absence of recurrent head trauma).
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Core
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
DKA is a life-threatening disorder where appropriate, aggressive management can markedly change the patients course.
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Staying Home
Like many other young professionals in Manhattan, I grew up out in the suburbs on Long Island hoping to one day make it to the big city. As I maneuvered through the maze of my adolescence, I vividly remember being mesmerized by the bright lights and the unrelenting energy of the concrete jungle; it was where I needed to be.
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Journal Review
Topical Anesthetics in Corneal Abrasions
Corneal abrasions account for approximately 10% of eye-related visits to the Emergency Department (ED). The cornea is a highly innervated structure and, thus, remarkably sensitive, making this condition a notoriously painful one. We have all witnessed the almost magical analgesia achieved with application of topical anesthetics when evaluating these patients. Unfortunately, we limit the use of this effective pain management modality to the ED because of the seemingly prohibitive dangers of prolonged use of these agents.
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Core
Ovarian Torsion
Torsion of the ovary is both difficult to diagnose and critical to do so expeditiously. This post delves into this disease process.
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Journal Review
Continous vs Interrupted Compressions in OHCA
In cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), chest compressions are frequently interrupted to provide rescue breathing. It has been documented in several pig models that these pauses are associated with a decrease in coronary perfusion pressure. Furthermore, it may take several minutes of chest compressions to restore perfusion pressures to adequate values. Other studies have found interruptions to be associated with decreased survival in animals with cardiac arrest.
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