Category: Uncategorized

RCEM CPD 2019 Day 1

 HEAD AND NECK

Tracheostomy Emergency Care – Dr Brendan McGarth

www.Tracheostomy.org.uk

Needs to distinguish Tracheostomy from laryngectomy as a laryngectomy has no connection to the upper airway however a tracheostomy may have a connection so gives you 2 options for an airway.

Trachostomy problems commonly seen in the ED:-
Tube obstructions
Tube displacement
Stoma problems
Skin problems

Tracheostomy Emergency Pathway

Laryngectomy Emergency Algorithm

Online learning  modules available at the link

www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/tracheostomy-safety/

 

The Impact of Dental Presentations to the ED  — Chetan Trivedi 

Facial imaging his a high dose of radiation to senative tissues in often young people therefore careful examination is required prior tor Xrays.

Predictors of radiological abnormality in facial trauma-

Tenderness over maxillary
Step deformity in maxillary
Sensory loss over site of injury
Change in bite
Subconjunctival haemhorrhage
Broken teeth
Periorbital haematoma
Abnormal eye signs

Predictors of radiological abnormality in mandibular trauma-
Restricted or painful mouth opening
Tenderness over mandible
Sensory loss over site of injury
Change in bite/painful bite
Broken teeth
Step deformity

Try to assess carefully prior or to imaging

 

Acute Ophthalmology— Felipe Dhawahir-Scala

https://www.beecs.co.uk

Viral conjunctivitis all have preauricular or submandibular lymphadenopathy, highly contagious.

Do not give chloramphenicol to contact lens wearers use something with a broader spectrum.

Urgent conditions (reasons to get an ophthalmologist out of bed) —

Acute angle closure glaucoma -red painful eye, semi dilated pupil, – start iv acetazolamide immediately

Orbital cellulitis – eye doesn’t move, colour vision loss, fever, chemosis,  proptosis -start Ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin orally, image and call ophthalmology.

 

 

Vertigo – Peter Johns 

Concerning features- new or sustained headache or neck pain it’s a stroke or vertebral artery dissection until we prove it isn’t.

A central cause …Unable to walk or stand unaided, Weakness in limbs, the Deadly d’s… dysarthria,  diplopia, dysphagia, dysarthria,  dysphoria.

Short episodes of Vertigo  (spinning/dizziness) on getting up/rolling over in bed, no spontaneous or gaze provoked nystagmus.
(End gaze nystagmus so normal variant,  look to 30 degrees only.)
Need dix-hallpike testing likely BPPV – posterior canal BPPV.
Treat with Epley manoeuvre.

Horizontal Canal BPPV – Dix-hallpike manoeuvre is negative and they are less clear which side they turn to to get dizzy.

Spontaneous or gaze provoked nystagmus for days, nausea and vomiting and gait disturbance likely to be Vestibular neuronitis.

Test using HINTS plus Exam– nystagmus,  test of skew, head impulse test, hearing loss. All components have a central or peripheral result for each component. If all 4 are peripheral results then it is a acute Vestibular neuroitis

Vestibular migraine – 30% never get headache,  can last hours or days.
More common in women, perimenopausal, often get photophobia, phonophobia, nausea, vomiting and other typical migraine symptoms.

You tube – peter Johns (links here)

 

Purple Glove Syndrome – Case

Is a rare complication of I.V. Phenytoin, which presents with a triad of: Pain, Oedema & Discolouration, typically in the hand.

In our case a child presented in status epilepticus, having received rectal diazepam from the ambulance crew, then 0.1mg/kg lorazepam in the ED, followed by 20mg/kg I.V. Phenytoin over 30 min, via a 24g cannula in back of the hand.

After intubation the patients thumb, index and middle fingers were all noted to be purple. Radial pulse was weak however, we saw good flow on ultrasound doppler in the ED. The patient had no cardiovascular Hx or FHx.

 

What the literature says

Mechanism (poorly understood)

  • Phenytoin is highly Alkaline and may induce vasoconstriction and thrombus, resulting in  leakage into the extravascular tissue.
  • Phenytoin may precipitated when it mixes with acidic blood (More common in status patients rather than prophylaxis)
  • I.V. Canulation may cause small tears promoting extravasation (In our case the cannula required repositioning on insertion)

Prevention

  • Phenytoin infusion rate should be the lesser of 1-3mg/kg/min OR under 50mg/min (In our case the infusion rate was 22mg/min, less than 1mg/kg/min)
  • Smaller hand veins should be avoided (As in our case, most reports in literature involve the use of hand veins)
  • Use 20G cannula or larger (This is ideal for adults and older children)
  • Ensure filter used with phenytoin infusions

Stages

  1. Dark purple – Pale blue discolouration occurs around or distal to injection site 2-12hrs after administration. (In our case approx 30 min)
  2. Discolouration and Oedema progresses around site and into fingers, hand and forearm over the next 12-16 hours
  3. Healing, starts at the periphery  moving towards the injection site – most patients have a full recovery over 72hrs (few cases of necrosis requiring amputation have been reported

Treating

  • Stop giving phenytoin
  • Dry Warm Heat (moist heat my contribute to skin breakdown)
  • Elevate
  • Analgesia
  • Regular neuromuscular assessments
  • Avoid Cold (this will worsen the vasoconstriction)
  • GTN patches have also been used in several of the cases but efficacy is unknown

Learning Points

  • Avoid Hand veins for I.V. Phenytoin (this seems to be a contributing factor form the evidence, be it due to small size or more frequent injury of the vein though need to reposition?)
  • Avoid Cannulas that required repositioning (increase chance of leaking)
  • Use a big cannula (easier said than done in a fitting child)

 

References

Alprostadil

To maintain or restore patency of the ductus arteriosus

Only to be used in infants who are ventilated or where ventilation is immediately available

DO NOT DELAY IN STARTING Alprostadil if: there is clinical
suspicion of duct dependent CHD while waiting for paediatric cardiology opinion OR echocardiogram, even when in-house echo facilities are present.

PDF: Alprostidil

 

Welcome to EMbeds

We have up dated the previous site dragonED

To find guides you can either use

  1. Search field
  2. Knowledge link

Why the change: theres a few reasons

  1. Patient information leaflets -are currently getting uploaded
  2. Add learning resources – such as the up coming ED journal club
  3. Increase involvement – interesting cases can be posted from numerous authors (so get involved and spread your knowledge)
  4. Flow us on twitter @EMbeds_Learning and you will be alerted to any updates

We hope you like it but feel free to tell us how you would like it improved.