Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place: Navigating Renal Colic Treatment

Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place: Navigating Renal Colic Treatment

Renal colic is a common presenting symptom in the ED, with an estimated prevalence as high as 10-15% in the US. (1) It accounts for approximately 1% of all ED visits per year. (27) Most patients will pass these calculi spontaneously and do not require surgical intervention, therefore focus on pain relief is of utmost importance in the emergency department. (1) NSAIDs have shown to be as effective, if not more effective than opioids, making them a reliable first line agent. (4,5) Opioids still provide a viable option in those with kidney disease or gastric ulcer disease, however they may be best utilized as combination agents to decrease the need for rescue analgesia. There is weak evidence to support the use of IV acetaminophen, with high cost burden, limiting its utility. Additional agents such as ketamine, lidocaine and magnesium carry with them limited evidence and inconsistencies in the literature, limiting their use, with further studies required. Alpha blockers seem to provide a shorter duration to expulsion, fewer pain episodes, and less hospital admissions with surgical intervention, specifically with larger stones (>5mm).

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Grand Rounds Recap 11/18

Grand Rounds Recap 11/18

What do these 3 things have in common: interval prolongation, COWS, and rural America? All 3 were covered in this week’s UCEM Grand Rounds.

Dr. Li starting us off with monthly Morbidity & Mortality. Cards consultant Dr. Ahmad provided rapid fire EKG review. Dr. Stark refreshed us on opioid withdrawal treatment. And, Dr. Makinen delivered a moving capstone on the importance of rural emergency medicine.

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Grand Rounds Recap 2.19.20

Grand Rounds Recap 2.19.20

This week featured an all-start lineup of resident lectures. Dr. Golden started us off with an amazing M&M, followed by Dr. Mullen enlightening us on eating disorders and the management in the ED. Dr. Iparraguirre taught us about the management of the severely burned patient. Dr. Laurence and Dr. Lagasse faced off in another interesting CPC. Finally Dr. Goff, hit it home with review of pneumonia severity scores and their clinical context.

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Grand Rounds Recap 10.31.18

Grand Rounds Recap 10.31.18

We had a diverse and interesting set of topics for this week of Grand Rounds! Dr. Mehlman, a pediatric orthopedist, took us through high-yield, can’t miss orthopedics cases. Following this, we went through strategies in team-building and recruitment with Drs. Stettler, Fermann, and McDonough as part of our Leadership Curriculum. Dr. Jarrell then presented local data on our Naloxone Distribution program and opioid overdoses. We concluded the day with a lecture on hernia diagnosis and management by Dr. Leech, followed by a fantastic small group session on Wellness lead by Drs. Jarrell and Banning. Enjoy our summary of these high-yield topics!

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Grand Rounds Recap 8.2.17

Grand Rounds Recap 8.2.17

This week was filled with lots of high yield quick hit Grand Rounds sessions. Dr. Stolz kicked it off with her first official lecture as UC EM's Ultrasound Director with a talk on how to use ultrasound in resuscitation of the shock patient. Next Dr. Knight went over some procedural complications and then switched gears to pearls on how to give a stellar lecture. Dr. Lagasse walked us through a case of ascending cholangitis followed by Drs. Colmer, Soria and Continenza who led small groups focused on care of the geriatric patient. Dr. Toth followed with management of eye complaints in the community and Dr. Shaw wrapped things up with an update on the opioid epidemic in Ohio.

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