Posts in Ultrasound
This is Not the Appendix You're Looking For

A previously healthy 11 year-old male presents to the ED with three days of lower abdominal pain. The patient was evaluated at an urgent care center prior to arrival and was sent to the ED to “rule out appendicitis.” The patient reports intermittent “stabbing” pain that was initially suprapubic, but moved to the right lower quadrant today. The patient states the pain comes and goes without a clear trigger, but he has been able to eat normally and go to school. His mom became concerned today when they were about to eat dinner and the patient had an episode of severe pain that caused him to lie down. His mom gave him acetaminophen with some relief. He has not had fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. He has no sick contacts. He denies dysuria and penile discharge…

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Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

A 22 year-old female with a medical history of migraines and obesity who presents to the Emergency Department with a headache. Her headache was gradual in onset, but has progressively worsened and has not been relieved with NSAIDs. She describes the headache as dull and pounding with photophobia and phonophobia. She also notes associated nausea but no vomiting, and no associated neurologic complaints. She does note that she thinks during a previous ED visit at an outside hospital she was told she may have “high pressure in her head” but she does not remember the details and is not on any medication for it…

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Take My Breath Away

A 31 year old female with no significant PMH presents to the Emergency Department with left-sided chest pain that started suddenly 3 hours ago while sitting in a lecture hall. She describes the pain as a constant stabbing sensation in her left anterior chest that radiates to her left neck. She endorses feeling short of breath and lightheaded. She has never had a sensation like this before. The patient denies smoking, fevers, chills, and trauma. Her vital signs are unremarkable, and her physical exam is notable for decreased breath sounds in the left upper lung field…

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Ultrasound Case of the Month: A Silent Killer

A 72 year old male with no PMH presents to the emergency department (ED) for vague abdominal discomfort and fullness. The patient is hemodynamically stable on arrival and received a point of care ultrasound (POCUS) for evaluation of his abdominal pain. FAST performed was negative for free fluid, however, the renal ultrasound showed unilateral mild hydronephrosis on the right side. POCUS was then performed to evaluate the aorta, and a large abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was seen, measuring 14cm at its largest diameter…

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