Case Presentation A 53-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with three days of worsening dysphagia, odynophagia, and muffled voice. The patient is ten days status post adenotonsillectomy with inferior turbinate reduction for chronic tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnea. The patient tells her history by writing on a piece of paper since speaking is too … Continue reading Retropharyngeal Abscess in an Adult
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To Dive or not to Dive
Introduction Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning results in approximately 50,000 emergency room visits per year. Further, it is the leading cause of death due to poisoning. When CO binds to hemoglobin it causes toxicity by creating carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). CO binds hemoglobin with 200 times greater affinity than does oxygen. Therefore, CO poisoning reduces the oxygen carrying … Continue reading To Dive or not to Dive
Psychogenic Polydipsia and the Case of Severe Hyponatremia
The Case The ambulance company calls in asking your emergency department to prepare for an agitated adult female with known psychiatric history. Depending on where you work, this may involve having security at the ready with physical restraints and your best (strongest?) nurse with Haldol and Ativan in hand, for the patient’s safety and your … Continue reading Psychogenic Polydipsia and the Case of Severe Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia Infographic
By Dr. Colin Therriault, PGY3
Einstein Emergency Medicine 