To Scan or Not to Scan? PECARN for Pediatric Head Trauma.

To Scan or Not to Scan? PECARN for Pediatric Head Trauma.

When a child comes in to the emergency department for head trauma, it can be difficult to balance unwanted, and possibly unnecessary radiation, with the risk of missing clinically significant head trauma. CT scans of the head allow providers to rapidly identify, and subsequently address dangerous and potentially life-threatening intracranial trauma and hemorrhages. However, as with everything in medicine, a CT scan is not without risks, particularly in the pediatric patient. With over 500,000 ED visits per year dedicated to pediatric head traumas, this is a challenge that emergency medicine providers face frequently (1).  A study published in 2001 suggests that approximately 170 deaths were attributable to one year of CT head examinations in pediatric patients (2), and utilization of CT imaging has only increased since. Therefore, as with any radiation based imaging, careful consideration should be given to whether the test is truly necessary. As mechanism of injury and post-trauma symptoms can range drastically, it can be difficult to accurately assess the appropriateness of imaging in a child. As such, the pediatric emergency care applied research network (PECARN) worked to develop a clinical decision tool to guide clinicians in the need for head CT following pediatric head trauma.

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Grand Rounds Summary 9.13.17

Grand Rounds Summary 9.13.17

'Twas a fantastic grand rounds.  Drs. Banning and Golden started it off taking us through the most recent evidence for management of sub-massive and massive PE, as well as presenting their algorithm to be published on Emergency KT.  This was followed by a global health lecture given by Dr. Lagasse, which covered a range of re-emerging infectious diseases.  Next, Dr. Bryant took us through multiple pediatric cases, and discussed her approach in determining whether to discharge, transfer, or treat pediatric patients with common / representative complaints.  Dr. Adeoye then took us through the history and development of our current approach to the management of acute ischemic stroke.  Dr. LaFollette then took us through an evidence based approach to removing things from where they shouldn't be in his edition of mastering minor care, discussing approaches to removing retained objects from ears and skin.  We then finished the conference with two interesting cases:  One presented by Dr. Sabedra that was followed by a discussion on the diagnosis and management of massive hemoptysis, and the other presented by Dr. Dang illustrating the differences and similarities hyperthermic toxidromes including NMS and serotonin syndrome as well as their management.  

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Grand Rounds Recap 5.24.2017

Grand Rounds Recap 5.24.2017

Grand Rounds kicked off this week with Dr. Axelson's final M&M of the year where we learned about hypertensive emergencies, 2nd & 3rd trimester vaginal bleeding, the care of the sick asthmatic, which bronchiolitics can go home and how exactly to treat the many forms of UTIs. Drs. Kircher and Murphy-Crews continued the learning with a case follow-up about intubating patients with airway stents and pediatric head injury, respectively. Our joint EM-Peds lecture rounded out the day with visual diagnoses in peds. 

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Grand Rounds Recap 2/10/16

Grand Rounds Recap 2/10/16

R4 QUARTERLY SIMULATION with Drs. Curry, Loftus, Ostro and Strong

We presented a case of a 42 y/o female who presented with altered mental status, hypotension and bradycardia. She was ultimately found to have an unintentional labetalol overdose which she had been taking PRN for headache.

Beta-Blocker Overdose Take-Home Points...

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