Kidney Stones 04: Treatment
This is part 4/4 of the series on kidney stones. The focus is on treatment, including which pain medicine is best, the use of Flomax and more.
Kidney Stones 03: Imaging
This is part 3/4 of the series on kidney stones. The focus is on imaging where I discuss whether or not ultrasound or CT should be the first choice.
Kidney Stones 02: Labs
This is part 2/4 of the series on kidney stones. The focus is on labs - specifically the urinalysis which is helpful, but not diagnostic.
Kidney Stones 01: Presentation
This is part 1/4 of the series on kidney stones. The focus is on presentation, which should help you ask the right historical questions to help narrow your differential diagnosis.
Why we do what we do: Epinephrine in anaphylaxis
Epinephrine is the most important drug in the management of anaphylaxis. It is so important because it saves lives! This is no hyperbole. This edition of the Why we do what we do series focuses on the evidence behind the use of IM Epi in Anaphylaxis. What are the indications? You should rapidly administer IM Epi for anyone with anaphylaxis. [...]
Frequencies of the various signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis
The latest video in the PEMBlog shorts series tackles the titular question. Just how often are certain signs and symptoms present in patients with anaphylaxis?
A quick teaser for next week’s all new content
Sorry for the lack of updates - I've been on vacation this week. But I'll be back next week with new content all focusing on Anaphylaxis. Until then enjoy the dog days of summer (in the Northern Hemisphere at least).
“Dry drowning” the summer medical oxymoron
Undoubtedly you will see a child with a "near drowning" if you work in the ED during the summer. Most children are fine, even those that received some back blows, mouth to mouth or some semblance of bystander rescue maneuvers. Asymptomatic children (no respiratory symptoms) can be safely discharged home. Those that are having difficulty breathing or other symptoms should [...]
Instead of packing an abscess try a drain
I've recently shared posts on Loop abscess and drainage as well as on the utility and need for packing abscesses. I've concluded, for the time being, that it is likely appropriate to pack abscesses greater than 5cm. But, is there something other than stuffing a bunch of gauze in there that would do the trick as well? The answer, as [...]
Should we really be packing abscesses?
When I was first taught how to drain an abscess I was taught to pack most with ¼ inch gauze. Initially it was iodoform gauze, later just plain old ribbon gauze. As with many things I felt like it worked and had no impetus to change. Recently, I began to reconsider based on a review of the literature and experience at [...]
