Best Case Ever | Emergency Medicine Cases

Best Case Ever 14: High Pressure Injection Injury

Dr. Laura Tate, plastic surgeon extraordinaire, presents her best hand emergency case. In the upcoming episode, she and Dr. Andrew Arcand will discuss key pearls and pitfalls in the recognition and management of flexor tenosynovitis, high pressure injection injuries, fight bites, hook of the hammate fractures, gamekeeper's thumb and many more potentially devastating hand emergencies.

By Anton Helman|2016-10-20T12:48:55-04:00December 26th, 2012|Categories: Best Case Ever, EM Cases, Emergency Medicine, Orthopaedics, Trauma|Tags: high pressure injection injuries, Laura Tate|0 Comments

Best Case Ever 13: Aortic Dissection

Dr. David Carr, the past author of Tintinalli's chapter on occlusive arterial disease, tells us his Best Case Ever related to Aortic Dissection. In the related Episode 28: Aortic Dissection, Acute Limb Ischemia & Compartment Syndrome, we discuss the breadth of presentations and key diagnostic clues of Aortic Dissection. We review the value of ECG, CXR, biomarkers and the use of Transesophageal Echo and CTA in this sometime elusive diagnosis. We debate lots of clinical pearls and pitfalls when it comes to acute limb ischemia, and end with a discussion on the trials and tribulations of Compartment Syndrome. [wpfilebase tag=file id=398 tpl=emc-play /] [wpfilebase tag=file id=399 tpl=emc-mp3 /]

By Anton Helman|2020-05-31T23:19:18-04:00November 11th, 2012|Categories: Best Case Ever, Cardiology, EM Cases, Emergency Medicine, Neurology|Tags: aortic dissection, D-dimer, David Carr, echocardiogram, troponin|0 Comments

Best Case Ever 12: Drugs of Abuse

As a bonus to Episode 27 on Drugs of Abuse -Stimulants & Opiates, Dr. Margaret Thompson, one of Canada's leading Toxicologists and the medical director of the Ontario Poison Control Centre tells us 2 of her Best Cases Ever about stimulant overdose surprises. In the related Episode, Dr. Margaret Thompson & Dr. Lisa Thurgur Canada's toxicologist gurus discuss several cases of stimulant drugs of abuse such as cocaine, MDMA & bath salts, as well as the pearls and pitfalls of managing opiates toxicity. We discuss: The management of the intoxicated patient including seizures, dysrhythmias, cardiac ischemia and hypertensive emergencies related to cocaine toxicity, the recognition and management of necrotizing vasculitis caused by cocaine cut with Levamisole, the differential diagnosis and management of the "hot and crazy" patient, including the role of dantrolene and cyproheptidine, pearls and pitfalls of naloxone, the utility of urine drug screens and much more.... [wpfilebase tag=file id=396 tpl=emc-play /] [wpfilebase tag=file id=397 tpl=emc-mp3 /]

By Anton Helman|2019-11-11T21:38:55-05:00October 7th, 2012|Categories: Best Case Ever, EM Cases, Emergency Medicine, Resuscitation, Toxicology|Tags: acute coronary syndrome, bath salts, cocaine, dantrolene, drug screen, dysrhthmia, ecstacy, hypertensive emergency, levamisole, Lisa Thurgur, Margaret Thompson, naloxone, opiate, seizure, sympathomimetic, vasculitis|0 Comments

Best Case Ever 11: Cauda Equina Syndrome

As a bonus to Episode 26 on Low Back Pain Emergencies with Dr. Brian Steinhart & Dr. Walter Himmel, we have Dr. Walter Himmel's own personal incredible case of Cauda Equina Syndrome. In the related Episode we will cover the most serious spinal and vascular causes that present with low back pain including Cauda Equina Syndrome, Spinal Epidural Abscess, Spinal Epidural Hematoma, Metastases to the spine, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Retroperitoneal Hematoma. [wpfilebase tag=file id=394 tpl=emc-play /] [wpfilebase tag=file id=395 tpl=emc-mp3 /]

By Anton Helman|2022-01-04T19:51:07-05:00September 6th, 2012|Categories: Best Case Ever, EM Cases, Emergency Medicine, Neurology|Tags: abdominal aortic aneurysm, Brian Steinhart, cauda equina syndrome, disc herniation, inflammatory markers, lumbosacral sprain, mechanical low back pain, metastatic cancer, pain managment, retroperitoneal bleed, siatica, spinal cord compression, spinal epidural hematoma, Walter HImmel|2 Comments

Best Case Ever 10: Pediatric Syncope

Pediatric Syncope usually has a benign cause, but may be a warning for sudden death. As a bonus to Episode 25 on ‘Pediatric & Adult Syncope’ with Dr. Eric Letovsky and Dr. Anna Jarvis, 'Canada's mother of Pediatric Emergency Medicine', we have Dr. Jarvis’s Best Case Ever. In the related episode we will cover how to differentiate syncope from seizure, key historical and physical exam clues to determine a cause of syncope, ECG pearls of syncope causing cardiac conditions, from Congenital Prolonged QT Syndrome to Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, the value of syncope decision rules such as the ROSE rule and the San Francisco Syncope Rule, the value of ancillary testing, including Holter monitoring, Echocardiograms and Stress Testing and much more...... [wpfilebase tag=file id=386 tpl=emc-play /] [wpfilebase tag=file id=387 tpl=emc-mp3 /]

By Anton Helman|2025-06-01T13:05:02-04:00July 9th, 2012|Categories: Best Case Ever, Cardiology, EM Cases, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics|Tags: Anna Jarvis, pediatric syncope, prolonged QT, sudden death|0 Comments

Best Case Ever 9 Vaginal Bleeding in Early Pregnancy

As a bonus to Episode 23 on 'Vaginal Bleeding in Early Pregnancy' with Dr. Ross Claybo and Dr. David Dushenski, we have here, Dr. Claybo's Best Case Ever. While vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy is rarely life threatening, there are a significant percentage of woman who will require emergency resuscitation and surgical intervention. We don't have mountains of RCTs on this topic; still Dr. David Dushenski & Dr. Ross Claybo run through the key clinical pearls of the history, the physical, interpretation of the BhCG and the value of serum progesterone in working up these patients. The newest on point of care ultrasound is discussed in the patient with vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy. The various types of spontaneous abortion including septic abortion are reviewed as well as the management of the unstable patient with massive vaginal hemorrhage. Ectopic pregnancy, in all it’s various presentations is reviewed with particular attention to the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them. [wpfilebase tag=file id=388 tpl=emc-play /] [wpfilebase tag=file id=389 tpl=emc-mp3 /]

By Anton Helman|2016-10-20T13:22:25-04:00May 8th, 2012|Categories: Best Case Ever, EM Cases, Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology|Tags: ectopic pregnancy, POCUS, Ross Claybo, ultrasound|0 Comments

Best Case Ever 8: Acute Dyspnea

Acute Dyspnea has a wide differential diagnosis from Metabolic Acidosis to Medically Unexplained Dyspnea. As a bonus to Episode 21 on Pulmonary Embolism and Acute Dyspnea, Dr. John Foote the CCFP(EM) residency program director at the University of Toronto presents his Best Case Ever related to an Acute Dyspnea presentation. In the related episode on Pulmonary Embolism we havet, with Dr. Foote, the triumphant return of Dr. Anil Chopra, the Head of the Divisions of Emergency Medicine at University of Toronto . We kick it off with Dr. Foote’s approach to undifferentiated acute dyspnea and explanation of Medically Unexplained Dyspea (‘MUD’) and go on to discuss how best to develop a clinical pretest probability for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism using risk factors, the value of the PERC rule, Well’s criteria and how clinical gestalt plays into pretest probability. Dr. Chopra tells about the appropriate use of D-dimer to improve our diagnostic accuracy without leading to over-investigation and unwarranted anticoagulation. We then discuss the value of V/Q scan in the workup of PE, and the pitfalls of CT angiography. A discussion of anticoagulation choices follows and the controversies around thrombolysis for submassive PE closes the podcast. [wpfilebase tag=file id=384 tpl=emc-play /] [wpfilebase tag=file id=385 tpl=emc-mp3 /]

By Anton Helman|2017-02-03T12:49:44-05:00March 2nd, 2012|Categories: Best Case Ever, EM Cases, Emergency Medicine, Respirology|Tags: John Foote, medically unexplained dyspnea, pulmonary embolism|0 Comments

Best Case Ever 7: Atrial Fibrillation

As a bonus to Episode 20 on Atrial Fibrillation, we present here, Dr. Clare Atzema, a leading EM researcher in Atrial Fibrillation, telling her Best Case Ever related to Afib. What would you do if you needed to cardiovert a patient who was too obese to fit on an ED stretcher? Dr. Atzema, along with Dr. Nazanin Meshkat and Dr. Bryan Au, discuss the presentation, etiology, precipitants, management and disposition of Atrial Fibrillation in the Emergency Department. The pros and cons of rate vs rhythm control are debated, what you need to know about Afib medications, and the value of the Ottawa Aggressive Protocol discussed. The importance of appropriate anticoagulation is detailed, with a review of the CHADS-VASc score and whether to use anticogulants or ASA for stroke prevention for patients with Afib. We end off with a discussion on how to recognize and treat Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in the setting of Atrial Fibrillation. [wpfilebase tag=file id=382 tpl=emc-play /] [wpfilebase tag=file id=383 tpl=emc-mp3 /]

By Anton Helman|2016-10-20T13:24:00-04:00February 2nd, 2012|Categories: Best Case Ever, Cardiology, EM Cases, Emergency Medicine, Resuscitation|Tags: anticoagulation, cardioversion, Clare Atzema, clinical decision rules, dabigitran, ottawa aggressive protocol, Warfarin, wolff-parkinson-white|1 Comment

Best Case Ever 5 Septic Arthritis

Septic Arthritis is often at the top of our differential for acute monoarthritis. Dr. Joel Yaphe tells his Best Case Ever of a patient with septic arthritis as a bonus to Episode 16: Acute Monoarthritis. In the related episode Dr. Yaphe and Dr. Indy Ghosh discuss such questions as: What are the most important risk factors for septic arthritis? What are the most predictive signs and symptoms of septic arthritis? How does serum WBC, ESR and CRP contribute to the probability of septic arthritis? Should we still be performing arthrocenteses on patient's with overlying cellulitis? with an INR of 6? How can you tell the difference between septic bursitis and septic arthritis and how are they managed differently? What does the literature tell us about how useful the synovial fluid tests are in ruling in or ruling out septic arthritis? What is the role of bedside ultrasound in septic arthritis? Is there a role for steroid therapy in septic arthritis? When would you consider oral NSAIDs vs oral prednisone vs intra-articular methylprednisolone for the treatment of Gout? Is there a role for colchicine in the ED treatment of Gout? What is acute calcific arthritis of hydroxyapatite disease and why is it important for ED docs to know about? What is the most common cause of dermatitis-arthritis? How can one distinguish Reactive Arthritis from Septic Arthritis clinically, and how do their work-ups differ? Is there a role for antibiotics in Reactive Arthritis? How does gonococcal arthritis present compared with nongonococcal septic arthritis? and many more..... [wpfilebase tag=file id=378 tpl=emc-play /] [wpfilebase tag=file id=379 tpl=emc-mp3 /]

By Anton Helman|2016-10-20T13:25:22-04:00July 19th, 2011|Categories: Best Case Ever, EM Cases, Emergency Medicine, Orthopaedics|Tags: arthrocentesis, colchicine, gout, Joel Yaphe, POCUS|0 Comments

Best Case Ever 4 Acute Coronary Syndrome From Venous Source

In anticipation of Episode 15, 'Acute Coronary Syndromes' with Dr. Eric Letovsky, Dr. Mark Mensour and Dr. Neil Fam, we present here, Dr. Helman's 'Best Case Ever' of an ACS patient. In Episode 15: 'Acute Coronary Syndromes', Drs. Fam, Mensour , Letovsky and Helman discuss questions like: How does a recent negative stress test or angiogram effect the pre-test probability of ACS in the ED? What does recent evidence tell us about the assumption that patients presenting with chest pain and a presumed new LBBB will rule in for MI and require reperfusion therapy? [wpfilebase tag=file id=376 tpl=emc-play /] [wpfilebase tag=file id=377 tpl=emc-mp3 /]

By Anton Helman|2016-10-20T13:26:08-04:00June 5th, 2011|Categories: Best Case Ever, Cardiology, EM Cases, Emergency Medicine|Tags: ACS, Anton Helman, NSTEMI, STEMI, troponin|0 Comments