Medical Music Mondays: 3 LPs and 1 DJ
There are several things you can do to increase your likelihood of success when performing a lumbar puncture in children. Local anesthesia! Early stylet removal! Needle bevel to the hips!
There are several things you can do to increase your likelihood of success when performing a lumbar puncture in children. Local anesthesia! Early stylet removal! Needle bevel to the hips!
Measles is dancing yet again and I think we all know why. With an attack rate of 90%+ if you are not vaccinated you are at risk.
In this podcast episode we dive into the resurgence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae—an atypical bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia that’s making waves in pediatric emergency medicine. We’ll cover its clinical presentation, epidemiology, diagnostic approach, and management, including why standard beta-lactam antibiotics won’t work. Plus, we’ll discuss whether M. pneumoniae even needs to be treated in the first place!
MRSA is the main cause of cutaneous abscesses. You treat them with incision and drainage. remember the lidocaine field block, and break up those locations with a hemostat. Packing isn't necessary for most abscesses.
At least 40% of the time when someone faints they have some abnormal movements. These aren't seizures! Convulsive syncope is what we call it when someone faints and jerks a bit.
Cellulitis is like an infection of the icing - if you imagine the skin as a piece of cake that it. Treat with cephalexin - red, hot, swollen, and tender - and sometimes fever and systemic symptoms. I could've wrote a song about erysipelas but it doesn't rhyme with anything.
Ketamine is an amazing drug for procedural sedation in the Emergency Department. Kids also look wild when they're on it - some people call that look the "K-Hole." Imagine a creepy industrial metal song about that... go ahead... I'll wait.
Maybe this is true for you too, but I always remembered what the X-Ray findings for Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis are by imagine a scoop of ice cream falling off a cone. Just search for an image online. You'll see what I mean. Also this needs Orthopedic intervention within 24 hours.
Slapped cheek rash? It's Parvovirus B19 causing erythema infectiosum, aka fifth disease. the characteristic rash shows up after the fever, malaise, aches and GI symptoms. Also, remember it can cause fetal anemia, non-immune fetal hydrops and fetal death if a pregnant person is infected. Also bees don't carry it.
The concurrent circulation of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and norovirus during peak viral seasons presents a diagnostic challenge in pediatric emergency settings. Differentiating these pathogens based on clinical presentation is crucial for targeted management, minimizing unnecessary diagnostic tests, and optimizing healthcare resources.