ABSTRACT
Posterior sternoclavicular dislocation is a rare injury that must be recognized by the emergency physician because failure to rapidly reduce can lead to serious vascular complications. A high index of suspicion must be maintained in the appropriate setting because these injuries are difficult to detect on physical examination as well as on plain radiography. We present a case of a 19-year-old man with an isolated posterior sternoclavicular dislocation, in the setting of minor blunt trauma. The correct diagnosis required multiple imaging modalities over 2 emergency department visits and was ultimately successfully managed with intraoperative reduction.
Subject(s)
Accidental Falls , Joint Dislocations/diagnostic imaging , Sternoclavicular Joint/injuries , Wounds, Nonpenetrating/diagnostic imaging , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Joint Dislocations/surgery , Male , Radiography , Sternoclavicular Joint/diagnostic imaging , Sternoclavicular Joint/surgery , Wounds, Nonpenetrating/surgery , Young AdultABSTRACT
Rapidly progressive acute respiratory distress along with life-threatening gram-negative anaerobic sepsis in a young, immunocompetent individual should always raise concern for Lemierre's syndrome. Although still rare, the incidence of Lemierre's syndrome has been increasing over the past 20 years. Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by postanginal septicemia and secondary internal jugular vein suppurative thrombophlebitis. In the emergency department (ED), patients often present with evidence of sepsis and secondary septic emboli to different organs, primarily the lungs.We report a case of a 24-year-old patient who presented to the ED with acute respiratory distress with an atypical and rapidly deteriorating course. She was later diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome and recovered well after antibiotic treatment, respiratory support, and a lengthy intensive care unit stay. This case report represents an atypical presentation of acute respiratory distress and pharyngitis but is classic for Lemierre's syndrome.
Subject(s)
Lemierre Syndrome/complications , Respiratory Insufficiency/etiology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Chest Pain/etiology , Dyspnea/etiology , Emergency Service, Hospital , Female , Humans , Lemierre Syndrome/diagnosis , Lemierre Syndrome/drug therapy , Young AdultABSTRACT
At 6:27 p.m., a local flight team was activated for an interfacility transfer of a 6-month-old boy with a foreign body aspiration. The child was reportedly playing with an older sibling at home. According to the patient's mother, she stepped out of the room briefly and returned to find the child coughing and mildly cyanotic. The older sibling reported that the baby had ingested an object that was likely a plastic toy. Ground 911 EMS was called, and the child was transported to a local community hospital without any change in his respiratory status.
