Conference Notes from 5/3/23

Ejection Fraction and Cardiac Imaging with Dr. Baker

  • Normal EF findings on POCUS – wall thickening and symmetric contraction during systole, anterior leaflet of mitral valve slapping interventricular septum
  • Ways to calculate EF using POCUS
  • EPSS = End point septal separation
    • Less than 7 mm = normal
    • Greater than 10 mm = reduced EF
  • Fractional shortening – measures LV in systole and diastole
  • Fractional area change – uses RV volumes in end systole and end diastole to calculate EF
  • Simpson Biplane method – US will calculate change in volume of the LV between end diastole and end systole

Lightning Lectures with Drs. Gellert and Wells

  • Ludwig’s Angina
    • Rapidly progressive gangrenous cellulitis of the submandibular spaces
    • Polymicrobial
    • Clinical diagnosis, imaging not required
    • Management
      • Airway – preferred awake fiberoptic intubation
      • Antibiotics – Unasyn OR Rocephin + Vanc OR Clindamycin
      • Surgical – Tooth extraction, debridement
  • Retropharyngeal Abscess
    • Abscess between posterior pharyngeal wall and prevertebral fascia
    • Late findings – stridor, respiratory distress, drooling, neck stiffness
    • Complications
      • Acute Necrotizing Mediastinitis (~25% mortality)
      • Sepsis
      • Aspiration
      • Lemierre’s syndrome – septic thrombophlebitis of IJ
    • Diagnose with CT neck w/contrast
    • Management
      • ENT consultation
      • Antibiotics – Cllindamycin 600-900 mg IV or Cefoxitin 2 mg IV or Augmentin 3 g IV
  • Peritonsillar Abscess
    • Abscess between tonsillar capsule, superior constrictor muscles
    • Classic “hot potato voice”, uvula deviation
    • CT can help differentiate between cellulitis, RPA
    • Management
      • I&D or Needle Aspiration
        • For I&D use scalpel to incise 1 cm deep into abscess cavity
        • Use guard on scalpel to prevent deeper incision and vascular injury
      • Medications – Decadron 10 mg IV + Rocephin 2 g IV + Clindamycin 600 mg IV
      • Need ENT/PCP f/u in 24-48 hours if not admitted

Tracheostomy Complications with Drs. Lehnig and Nelson

  • Approximately 1% of tracheostomies associated with major complications
    • 50% mortality with major complications
    • Usually occur after 1 week
  • Emergent complications = decannulation, obstruction, hemorrhage
    • Decannulation
      • Replace ASAP as stoma will begin to close
      • If < 7 days old, recannulate under direct visualization with fiberoptics
      • If > 7 days, use direct visualization
    • Obstruction
      • Mucous plugs, blood clots, tube displacement
      • Remove inner cannula > suction trach > deflate cuff > remove trach > bag ventilate or intubate
    • Hemorrhage
      • If > 48 hours since placement, consider TI fistula, infection, coagulopathy, aggressive suctioning
      • Should be evaluated by surgeon
  • Urgent complications = TE fistula, tracheal stenosis, infection, cutaneous fistula
  • Tracheo-innominate artery fistula
    • Sentinel bleed occurs in 50% of patients
    • Management
      • External compression over sternal notch
      • Internal compression with hyperinflated cuff (up to 50 cc of air)
      • Remove trach > oral or stomal intubation > hyperinflate cuff
      • ET tube beyond fistula > digital compression of artery against manubrium

PEM Lecture – HEENT Problems with Dr. Lund

  • Otitis media
    • Antibiotics duration by age
      • < 2 yrs – 10 days
      • 2-5 yrs – 7 days
      • > 6 yrs – 5 days
    • Antibiotics of choice
      • Amoxicillin high dose (90 mg/kg/day)
      • Augmentin – if amox in last 30 days or concurrent conjunctivitis
      • Ceftriaxone – IV or IM x3 days 50 mg/kg
      • Allergies – non-severe = cefdinir, cefpodoxime; severe = clindamycin
  • Neck Masses
    • Thyroglossal Duct Cyst
      • Most common neck mass
      • Moves with swallowing
      • Can get infected – treated with clindamycin, augmentin, Keflex
    • Brachial Cleft
      • Treat the same as thyroglossal duct cyst > refer to ENT
    • Fibromatosis Coli
      • Result of neonatal torticollis causing shortening of SCM muscle
    • Lymphadenitis
      • Could be caused by bacterial infection of 1+ node, mycobacterium, cat scratch disease
  • Post operative tonsillectomy bleeding
    • Management
      • Suction, IV placement
      • Lean forward
      • Direct pressure laterally with Magills or long clamp
      • Nebulized TXA
  • Epiglottitis
    • Keep calm, avoid aggressive exam maneuvers
    • Inhalational anesthesia with no paralytics
    • Needle cric as temporizing measure
    • Antibiotics – cefotaxime or ceftriaxone AND clindamycin or vancomycin

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