Emergency Medicine Cases

Dr. Rob Simard, emergency physician, educator and POCUS expert known for teaching point-of-care ultrasound and resuscitation, joins to unpack cutting-edge cardiac arrest care. They tackle CPR quality failures and real-time fixes. They debate head-up CPR, defibrillation timing and vectors, dual-sequence defibrillation logistics, and preventing harmful hyperventilation.

Adriana Rowe, an emergency medicine toxicologist, outlines metatomidine withdrawal signs and treatments. Andrew Petrosoniak, an emergency and trauma physician, breaks down traumatic pneumothorax physiology and chest tube vs pigtail decisions. Dr. Lazier, an emergency clinician-educator, walks a puzzling fever without source case that ends up West Nile. Rapid-fire segments also cover PECARN C-spine critiques and EMS handover tips.

Jennifer McCall, emergency medicine clinician scientist focused on endometriosis in acute care. Catherine Varner, minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and endometriosis subspecialist. They discuss when endometriosis should top the differential for pelvic pain. They cover distinguishing flares from dangerous complications and common imaging pitfalls. They explain practical ED-initiated hormonal options and safe discharge strategies.

Dr. Sara Gray, an emergency physician and intensivist experienced in critical care education. Rapid, time-focused management of convulsive status epilepticus. Short, clear actions on early benzodiazepine use, avoiding underdosing of second-line drugs, airway and intubation timing, and recognizing non-convulsive seizures when EEG is delayed.

Dr. Nathan Cooperman, emergency physician and prediction-rule pioneer, and Dr. Bret Burstein, pediatric emergency researcher and lead author of the 2025 JAMA study, discuss modern risk stratification for febrile young infants. They cover biomarker-driven rules (procalcitonin, ANC, UA), which infants were included or excluded, HSV considerations, urine collection nuances, and how to use shared decision-making to safely reduce LPs and antibiotics.

In this discussion, Mike Weinstock emphasizes critical questions for diagnosing upper back pain, while Andrew Petrosoniak shares insights on managing traumatic pneumothorax and hemothorax. Justin Morgenstern explains brain injury risk stratification for better neurosurgical consultations. Ariel Hendin tackles contrast media allergies, debunking myths and providing updated management strategies. Plus, emotional contagion expert Shawn Seregren reveals how communication dynamics during resuscitation can impact outcomes.

Dr. George Willis, an emergency medicine physician, and Dr. Alyssa Louis, an intensivist, share their expertise on thyroid emergencies. They explore the complexity of diagnosing thyroid storm and thyrotoxicosis, emphasizing when to act before lab results. Key insights include the significance of using POCUS for rapid decision-making and the importance of the medication sequence for treatment. They discuss the risks associated with beta blockers, particularly in patients with low ejection fraction, and the nuances of effective cooling and agitation management.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. George Willis, an expert in endocrine emergencies from the University of Texas, and Dr. Alyssa Lewis, a critical care specialist from Toronto, dive into the intricacies of decompensated hypothyroidism. They clarify why 'myxedema coma' is a misleading term and discuss crucial ways to differentiate it from sepsis and overdose. Topics include the importance of cortisol testing, risks associated with intubation, and strategies for effective management, emphasizing the critical need for early diagnosis and proper treatment in these complex cases.

In this insightful discussion, Deborah Schoenfeld, a pediatric emergency medicine educator, dives into the complexities of pediatric urinary retention and acute transverse myelitis, outlining key diagnostic strategies. Matthew McArthur, an expert in headache management, reviews the nuances of post-dural puncture headaches, emphasizing prevention and treatment. Joseph Yasmeh presents a compelling medico-legal analysis of clenched fist injuries, detailing common pitfalls in management. Brit Long tackles the controversial use of IV thrombolysis for minor strokes, while Lauren Westaffer shares invaluable mentorship and leadership strategies for emerging physicians.

Dr. Walter Himmel, an emergency medicine physician and stroke expert, teams up with Dr. Katie Lin, a stroke neurologist and educator. They dive deep into the complexities of non-disabling strokes, emphasizing that they still pose serious risks. Key topics include identifying stroke mimics, understanding the nuances of antiplatelet therapies, and the critical importance of timely imaging. They also discuss the management of young patients and the significance of careful risk stratification to prevent future strokes.