Esophageal Rupture

Background:

Von Willebrand Disease is the most common of the inherited bleeding disorders. Do you remember that there is more than one "type" of Von Willebrand Disease? Remember which type you should NOT use DDVAVP on? Read on for a quick overview. 

Here's a succinct overview of esophageal variceal bleeding management.

An elderly female patient presents with abdominal pain and distention with no bowel movement in 1 week. Labwork shows a Cr of 8 from baseline of 1 with a normal lactate.  Click for further information about her diagnosis. 

Gallstones are the leading casue of acute pancreatitis. Read below for a review of the OTHER causes (both common and uncommon) of acute pancreatitis.

Confused about appropriate analgesia in cirrhotic patients? Here are some pearls for pain control!

In 2010, there were approximately 535,000 ED visits for foreign bodies.  Approximately 80-90% of ingested foreign bodies pass through the GI tract without complications while the rest require intervention.  What are some basics that you need to know about foreign bodies that ingested, aspirated and inserted?

Neutropenic Enterocolitis aka typhlitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, ileocecal syndrome

Definition:

• intestinal mucosal wall edema and disruption of wall integrity in a neutropenic patient 

Pathogenesis:

• Weakened immune system --> intestinal overgrowth --> invasion of opportunistic bacteria.
• May lead to sepsis and bowel perforation.
• Mortality  22%-50%.

Patient population:

This week's post comes courtesy of our ED pharmacist Rachel Rafeq. Surprise! Metronidazole is no longer first line therapy for c-diff infections! Check out this handy table for the updated guidelines from the Infectious Disease Society of America for the latest treatment regimens