The effect of shoe cushioning on gait and balance in females with multiple sclerosis.

Gait and balance deficits are significant concerns for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Shoe cushioning can influence mobility and balance, but its effect on walking and balance remains unknown in MS. This study aimed to determine how shoe cushioning affects gait and balance in females with MS (FwMS). We hypothesized that extra cushioning would improve gait but reduce balance performance. FwMS performed gait (n = 18) and balance (n = 17) assessments instrumented using inertial sensors in two different shoe conditions: a standard-cushioned and an extra-cushioned shoe. Care was taken to ensure minimal differences between shoe types other than midsole cushioning, but shoe construction was not identical between conditions. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were assessed during a 2-min walk test, while postural sway measures were evaluated using the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance. In the extra-cushioned shoe, FwMS spent less time in the double support and stance phase with more time in the single support and swing phase. No differences in stride length, gait speed, or elevation at midswing were observed between shoe conditions. Decreased path length, RMS sway, and sway velocity were observed in the extra-cushioned shoe. No differences were observed in the gait cycle's spatial composition between shoe conditions, but FwMS demonstrated improvements in the gait cycle's temporal parameters and postural sway in the extra-cushioned shoe. This may suggest a less cautious walking strategy and improved balance when wearing a shoe with extra cushioning.

History and physical exam predictors of intracranial injury in the elderly fall patient: A prospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: A prior single-center study demonstrated historical and exam features predicting intracranial injury (ICI) in geriatric patients with low-risk falls. We sought to prospectively validate these findings in a multicenter population. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study of patients ≥65 years presenting after a fall to three EDs. Patients were eligible if they were at baseline mental status and were not triaged to the trauma bay. Fall mechanism, head strike history, headache, loss of consciousness (LOC), anticoagulants/antiplatelet use, dementia, and signs of head trauma were recorded. Radiographic imaging was obtained at the discretion of treating physicians. Patients were called at 30 days to determine outcome in non-imaged patients. RESULTS: 723 patients (median age 83, interquartile range 74-88) were enrolled. Although all patients were at baseline mental status, 76 had GCS <15, and 154 had dementia. 406 patients were on anticoagulation/antiplatelet agents. Fifty-two (7.31%) patients had traumatic ICI. Two study variables were helpful in predicting ICI: LOC (odds ratio (OR) 2.02) and signs of head trauma (OR 2.6). The sensitivity of these items was 86.5% (CI 73.6-94) with a specificity of 38.8% (CI 35.1-42.7). The positive predictive value in this population was 10% (CI 7.5-13.3) with a negative predictive value of 97.3% (CI 94.4-98.8). Had these items been applied as a decision rule, 273 patients would not have undergone CT scanning, but 7 injuries would have been missed. CONCLUSION: In low-risk geriatric fall patients, the best predictors of ICI were physical findings of head trauma and history of LOC.

Don't Play with Your Nodule: Case Report of Tachycardia and Other Adverse Reactions from Manipulation of an Exenatide Injection Site Nodule.

BACKGROUND: Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is an increasingly prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality among U.S. adults, with increasing prevalence in emergency department (ED) visits. Multiple medications, such as exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, have been developed in the past decade to combat this growing problem. This medication is well documented to cause gastrointestinal upset and skin nodules at the injection site. However, currently no documented cases exist regarding manipulation of injection nodules causing increased absorption or reports demonstrating an increase in adverse drug reactions. CASE REPORT: We report an interesting case of an adult male patient who likely experienced increased systemic absorption of exenatide by manipulating an injection nodule, which ultimately resulted in nausea, retching, diarrhea, and a tachycardic heart rate of 130-140 beats/min. These symptoms are known side effects of exenatide. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Given the high frequency of DM patients presenting to the ED, emergency physicians should be familiar with diabetic maintenance medications and their adverse reactions. Treating these side effects and properly educating patients can alleviate discomfort, prevent future adverse reactions, and decrease return visits to the ED.

Emergency department imaging of pediatric trauma patients during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

BACKGROUND: Military hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan treated children with traumatic injuries during the recent conflicts. Diagnostic imaging is an integral component of trauma management; however, few published data exist on its use in the wartime pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: The authors describe the emergency department (ED) utilization of radiology resources for pediatric trauma patients in Iraq and Afghanistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We queried the Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DODTR) for all pediatric patients admitted to military fixed-facility hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan from January 2007 to January 2016. We retrieved ED data on ultrasound (US), radiographic and computed tomography (CT) studies. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 3,439 pediatric encounters, which represented 8.0% of all military hospital trauma admissions. ED providers obtained a total of 12,376 imaging studies on 2,920 (84.9%) children. Of the 12,376 imaging studies, 1,341 (10.8%) were US, 4,868 (39.3%) were radiographic and 6,167 (49.8%) were CT exams. Most children undergoing radiographic evaluation were boys (77.8%) and located in Afghanistan (70.4%), and they sustained penetrating injuries (68.0%). Children who underwent imaging had higher composite injury severity scores in comparison to those who did not undergo imaging (10 versus 9). CONCLUSION: Military health care providers frequently utilized radiographic studies in the evaluation of pediatric trauma casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Deployed military hospitals that treat children would benefit from dedicated pediatric-specific imaging training and protocols.

An Impaled Potential Unexploded Device in the Civilian Trauma Setting: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: The management of patients with impaled unexploded devices is rare in the civilian setting. However, as the lines of the traditional battlefield are blurred by modern warfare and terrorist activity, emergency providers should be familiar with facility protocols, plans, and contact information of their local resources for unexploded devices. CASE REPORT: A 44-year-old male sustained a close-proximity blast injury to his lower extremities while manipulating a mortar-type firework. He presented to the regional trauma center with an open, comminuted distal femur fracture and radiographic evidence of a potential explosive device in his thigh. His management was coordinated with the local Explosive Ordinance Disposal and the fire department. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Explosive devices pose a grave threat when encountered. Familiarization with protocols to manage these patients can mitigate disaster. Emergency providers should expect and be prepared to coordinate care for these patients.

A randomized cross-over study comparing surgical cricothyrotomy techniques by combat medics using a synthetic cadaver model.

OBJECTIVE: Cricothyrotomy is a complex procedure with a high rate of complications including failure to cannulate and injury to adjacent anatomy. The Control-Cric™ System and QuickTrach II™ represent two novel devices designed to optimize success and minimize complications with this procedure. This study compares these two devices against a standard open surgical technique. METHODS: We conducted a randomized crossover study of United States Army combat medics using a synthetic cadaver model. Participants performed a surgical cricothyrotomy using the standard open surgical technique, Control-Cric™ System, and QuickTrach II™ device in a random order. The primary outcome was time to successful cannulation. The secondary outcome was first-attempt success. We also surveyed participants after performing the procedures as to their preferences. RESULTS: Of 70 enrolled subjects, 65 completed all study procedures. Of those that successfully cannulated, the mean times to cannulation were comparable for all three methods: standard 51.0s (95% CI 45.2-56.8), QuickTrach II™ 39.8s (95% CI 31.4-48.2) and the Cric-Control™ 53.6 (95% CI 45.7-61.4). Cannulation failure rates were not significantly different: standard 6.2%, QuickTrach II™ 13.9%, Cric-Control™ 18.5% (p=0.106). First pass success rates were also similar (93.4%, 91.1%, 88.7%, respectively, p=0.670). Of respondents completing the post-study survey, a majority (52.3%) preferred the QuickTrach II™ device. CONCLUSIONS: We identified no significant differences between the three cricothyrotomy techniques with regards to time to successful cannulation or first-pass success.

Association of prehospital intubation with decreased survival among pediatric trauma patients in Iraq and Afghanistan.

INTRODUCTION: Airway compromise is the second leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield among US military casualties. Airway management is an important component of pediatric trauma care. Yet, intubation is a challenging skill with which many prehospital providers have limited pediatric experience. We compare mortality among pediatric trauma patients undergoing intubation in the prehospital setting versus a fixed-facility emergency department. METHODS: We queried the Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DODTR) for all pediatric encounters in Iraq and Afghanistan from January 2007 to January 2016. We compared outcomes of pediatric subjects undergoing intubation in the prehospital setting versus the emergency department (ED) setting. RESULTS: During this period, there were 3439 pediatric encounters (8.0% of DODTR encounters during this time). Of those, 802 (23.3%) underwent intubation (prehospital=211, ED=591). Compared to patients undergoing ED intubation, patients undergoing prehospital intubation had higher median composite injury severity scores (17 versus 16) and lower survival rates (66.8% versus 79.9%, p<0.001). On univariable logistic regression analysis, prehospital intubation increased mortality odds (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.39-2.79). After adjusting for confounders, the association between prehospital intubation and death remained significant (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.35-3.06). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric trauma subjects intubated in the prehospital setting had worse outcomes than those intubated in the ED. This finding persisted after controlling for measurable confounders.

Myasthenia Gravis and Crisis: Evaluation and Management in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an uncommon autoimmune disorder affecting the neuromuscular junction and manifesting as muscle weakness. A multitude of stressors can exacerbate MG. When symptoms are exacerbated, muscle weakness can be severe enough to result in respiratory failure, a condition known as myasthenic crisis (MC). OBJECTIVE: This review discusses risk factors, diagnosis, management, and iatrogenic avoidance of MC. DISCUSSION: MC can affect any age, ethnicity, or sex and can be precipitated with any stressor, infection being the most common. MC is a clinical diagnosis defined by respiratory failure caused by exacerbation of MG. Muscle weakness can involve any voluntary muscle. MC can be differentiated from other neuromuscular junction diseases by the presence of normal reflexes, normal sensation, lack of autonomic symptoms, lack of fasciculations, and worsening weakness with repetitive motion. Treatment should target the inciting event and airway support. All acetylcholinesterase inhibitors should be avoided in crisis, including edrophonium testing and corticosteroids initially. Respiratory support can begin with noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation, as this has been successful even in patients with bulbar weakness. If intubation is necessary, consider avoiding paralytics or use a reduced dose of nondepolarizing agents. CONCLUSIONS: MC should be in the differential of any patient with muscular weakness and respiratory compromise. Emergency department management of MC should focus on ruling out infection and respiratory support. Strong consideration should be given to beginning with noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation for ventilatory support. Corticosteroids, depolarizing paralytics, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors should be avoided in patients with MC in the emergency department.

Misidentification of English Language Proficiency in Triage: Impact on Satisfaction and Door-to-Room Time.

We examined triage nurses' assessment of patients' language proficiency compared to patients' self-reported proficiency and the impact of language discordance on door-to-room time and patient satisfaction. This was a prospective study of emergency department walk-in patients. Patients completed a survey in which they identified their language proficiency. On a Likert scale, patients ranked how well they felt they were understood and how satisfied they were with the triage process. Nurses completed surveys identifying the patient's primary language and how well they felt they understood the patient. Door-to-room times were obtained from medical records. 163 patients were enrolled. 66% of patients identified themselves as having good English proficiency, while 34% of patients had limited English proficiency. Nurses misclassified 27% of self-identified Spanish-speaking patients as being English proficient. Spanish-speakers felt less satisfied with triage than English-speakers (p < 0.01). There were no differences in door-to-room time. Triage nurses overestimate patient language skills. Spanish-speaking patients feel less satisfied with triage than English-speakers.