Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Core topics summarized by the residents of the University of Cincinnati Emergency Medicine Residency
Fascial planes make plentiful places for infections to set up, and they can be some of the hardest to identify other than knowing when to suspect them and in whom. Join Dr. Martin as he goes through the most common diagnostics and therapeutics of deep space infectious
Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common gynecologic complaint seen in the emergency department, yet the differential ranges from benign anovulatory cycles to life-threatening hemorrhage and occult malignancy. Once pregnancy has been excluded, a structured approach is essential. Join Dr Cain as he discusses the classification, evaluation, and emergency management of AUB in the non-pregnant patient.
Pancreatitis is the most common gastrointestinal disease requiring acute hospital admission in the United States, generating over 300,000 ED visits per year. A wide variety of "suspects" can trigger the inflammation of the pancreas characteristic of this condition. Join Dr Landry as he investigates types of pancreatitis (acute vs chronic), etiologies, disposition, complications, and treatment for these patients to get to the bottom of the "case" — from mug shots to sentencing.
Elderly patients are an increasing subset of the Emergency Department population, and with this population comes unique risk factors and subtlties to physical and emotional abuses. Often Emergency Physicians are required reporters so join Dr. Ebeling and reviewing the tips of identification and reporting elder abuse.
HIV shows up in the ED in more ways than we realize — from needle sticks to acute retroviral syndrome to the patient who quietly screens positive on routine labs. And at 3 am, the questions that matter aren’t abstract pathophysiology but the practical ones: When do I start PEP? How do I not miss acute HIV? Should I really be starting treatment from the ED? Join Dr. Hoeflinger as she breaks down what every emergency physician needs to know to diagnose, treat, and counsel patients with confidence through 10 FAQs about HIV.
Penetrating injuries to the neck are always concerning, but do they all need exploration surgically? Radiographically? Join Dr. Tronetti as she reviews the zones and data behind the diagnostic algorithm in penetrating neck injuries
Blunt cerebrovascular injuries can often be subtle and difficult to diagnose. They are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and therefore early recognition and treatment of these injuries is vital. Join Dr King as he discusses the nuances of blunt cerebrovascular injuries including how to properly manage them.
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB), a difficult emergency diagnosis is nonetheless important to consider in subacute and chronic fever and has overlap with its pulmonary form. Join Dr. Schneider as he takes a deep dive into what you need to know when suspecting EPTB.
Traumatic shoulder injuries are a frequent challenge in the emergency department, often affecting active, otherwise healthy patients. Because the shoulder’s intricate anatomy is vulnerable to a wide range of injuries—from fractures and dislocations to soft‑tissue and neurovascular compromise—timely recognition is essential to prevent long‑term dysfunction. In this installment, Dr. Sindelar outlines the key presentations, diagnostic considerations, and management strategies for acute shoulder trauma.
It’s the time of year where people go outside and… get cold. Sometimes much much too cold. Join Dr. Geels for a bottom-up review of hypothermia, both its recognition and management in the ED setting.
Ectopic pregnancy represents one of the most urgent gynecologic emergencies encountered in the ED. Though relatively uncommon, the consequences can be life‑threatening if not recognized quickly. Because symptoms often mimic other causes of acute pelvic pain, clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion to avoid delays in diagnosis. Prompt management is essential to reduce morbidity and preserve future fertility. In this second installment of ovarian emergencies, Dr. Bannister reviews the critical features of ectopic pregnancy, its diagnostic challenges, and the strategies for timely intervention.
Ovarian emergencies are uncommon in the ED, but when they occur the consequences can be serious. Conditions like cyst rupture, torsion, and tubo‑ovarian abscess demand rapid recognition and timely management to prevent morbidity and preserve fertility. Because presentations are often variable, clinicians must keep a high index of suspicion when evaluating acute pelvic pain. Join Dr. Bannister as he discusses these critical ovarian emergencies and their management. Ectopic pregnancy will be explored in a dedicated post to highlight its unique urgency.
Blunt thoracic trauma represents a large portion of trauma related injuries in the emergency department. Join Dr Ware as she discusses a practical approach to initial assessment using the ABCs, highlights the role of imaging (X-ray vs CT), and reviews management of common thoracic injuries.
From thyroid storm to myxedema coma, thyroid emergencies require rapid recognition and decisive management. Join Dr. Samantha Shulhan as she explores the hallmark presentations, essential workup, and critical therapeutics that every emergency clinician should know.