Browse Emergency Medicine Topics Articles by Topic

Limb Ischemia and Gangrene

Although many cases of extremity pain are the result of mild, self-limited issues, ischemia and gangrene are catastrophic causes of pain that initially can present with nondescript findings. To limit tissue loss and optimize patient outcomes, emergency physicians must be able to distinguish benign limb pain from the earliest stages of high-risk, life- and limb-threatening disease.

Not All Round Rashes Are Ringworm: A Differential Diagnosis of Annular and Nummular Lesions

Although rashes are not usually an emergency, it is common for emergency physicians to see patients come in with a rash. Sometimes the rash is new onset, and sometimes it has been present for a while and refractory to treatment.

Ocular Trauma

This review will help the practitioner to be more comfortable evaluating and treating a patient with a traumatic eye complaint and understanding when to involve ophthalmology and with what urgency.

Adverse Reactions to Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Understanding the potential reactions that can occur from cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids can help emergency physicians recognize these effects in patients who may present to the emergency department.

Syncope

Relying on the most current literature, this article discusses the causes of syncope and syncope mimics, provides the best practice evaluation strategies, and will refamiliarize emergency physicians with current state-of-the-art practices regarding syncope risk stratification guidelines.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Intracranial Hemorrhage

Time is of the essence in management of intracranial hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The longer it takes to make the diagnosis and initiate treatment, whether it is surgical intervention or simply aggressive primary stabilization, the greater the risk to the patient regarding both morbidity and mortality.

Tickborne Illnesses

Blood-feeding ticks can transmit a wide variety of pathogens to people, which can result in significant infection and morbidity. During the past 10 years, the incidence of these diseases has increased rapidly, and the geographical regions where they occur has expanded. Recognizing symptoms that often are nonspecific and initiating appropriate treatment are critical to patient outcomes.

Update on the Management of Hypertension in the Emergency Department

This article will provide emergency physicians with a roadmap to help navigate the evaluation and management of hypertension in the emergency department.

Trauma Mythology: Looking Beyond the ABCD and ATLS

This article examines some commonly held assumptions related to the emergency care and stabilization of trauma patients. It provides the practicing clinician with information needed to inform important clinical decisions about spinal immobilization, thromboelastography, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), and the Focused Abdominal Sonography in Trauma (FAST) exam.

Chronic Abdominal Pain Disorders: Chronic Pancreatitis and Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

It is important for emergency providers to understand the pathophysiology and management of chronic abdominal pain disorders. This article will review two common chronic abdominal pain disorders encountered in the ED: chronic pancreatitis and cyclic vomiting syndrome.