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Emergency Medical Minute

 

Jun 12, 2019

Author:  Nick Hatch, MD

Educational Pearls:

  • Postpolypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome (PES) is a rare complication of polypectomy and electrocautery during colonoscopy
  • Occurs when cautery causes transmural thickening from a contact burn
  • Patients can present as if they have peritonitis, with guarding, leukocytosis,...


Oct 31, 2018

Author: Michael Hunt, MD

Educational Pearls:

  • Alcohol and gallstones are most common causes of pancreatitis
  • Diagnosis is not simply based on lipase alone - must have at least two the the three criteria:
    • Elevated lipase (greater than 3x upper limit of reference range)
    • Typical pain (epigastric pain, radiating to back,...


Sep 28, 2018

Author:  John Winkler, MD

Educational Pearls:

  • Probiotics are bacteria that are ingested to promote gut health but recent research casts doubt on their effectiveness.
  • Recent study suggests that most probiotics that are ingested are killed by stomach acid. Those that remain are not very healthy and are outcompeted by...


Jun 18, 2018

Author: Jared Scott, MD

Educational Pearls:

  • Scombroid is a type of food poisoning associated with dark fish (i.e. tuna, salmon, mackerel) that mimics anaphylaxis.
  • Occurs through conversion of histidine to histamine by bacteria in the fish.
  • Symptoms include flushing, lips swelling, nausea, diarrhea in setting of...


Jul 28, 2017

Author: Jared Scott, M.D.

Educational Pearls

  • Boerhaave syndrome (aka effort rupture of the esophagus) accounts for 10% of esophageal ruptures and is usually caused by strain during vomiting episodes. It can also be caused by childbirth, seizure, or prolonged coughing or laughing.  
  • Food and water swallowed after the...