UnFiNiShEd CaSe CoMe BaCk LaTeR
SCROLL DOWN FOR ANSWERS & 1-MINUTE CONSULT
History of Present Illness:
A 52-year-old female with a history of diabetes and stroke presents to the ED for 3 days of atraumatic neck pain that started left posterior. She denied any weakness or fever but temperature was 38.2. No other complaints.
Vital Signs & Physical Exam:
Vital signs are normal except for the temperature. Physical exam is otherwise normal except for a very stiff neck in any plane of motion
Initial Differential Diagnosis:
- Disc injury
- Meningitis
- Epidural abscess
- Vertebral dissection
Initial Diagnostic Testing:
- EKG: none
- Labs: Sed rate elevated at 80, WBC elevated at 13
- Imaging: CT angio of the neck was ordered to rule out dissection. See below.
QUESTIONS:
- What does the case image show?
- What should you do next?
- Want a 1-minute consult/tutorial on this case?
- Want to know what happened with this patient?
SCROLL DOWN FOR ANSWERS & 1-MINUTE CONSULT
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ADVERTISEMENT & SPACER >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
******************************************************************************
THE EMERGENCY MEDICINE POCKETBOOK TRIFECTA
Get one of our publications, all designed specifically for Emergency Care Providers:
-
Tarascon Emergency Department Quick Reference Guide, 2nd edition
-
Emergency Medicine 1-Minute Consult Pocketbook, 5th edition (NEW)
-
A to Z pocket EM Pharmacopoeia, 4th ed (BRAND NEW)
*****************************************************************************
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< END SPACER >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
ANSWERS:
- What does the case image show? The image shows calcific tendonitis on the longus colli tendon (see arrow) This was not originally noted on the CT but was picked up on the MR that followed and was done to rule out epidural abscess.
- What should you do next? Treat with analgesics. Consult spine
- Want a 1-minute consult/tutorial on this case? See yellow area from sample page below.
- Want to know what happened with this patient? See case conclusion below tutorial page.
1-Minute EM Consult on the topic for this case from the Emergency Medicine 1-minute Consult Pocketbook
CLICK HERE TO LEAR MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK
CASE CONCLUSION: Went home with Norco and spine follow-up