Ruptured Splenic Artery Aneurysm in the Postpartum Patient: A Case Series.

Introduction: The evaluation of an unstable peripartum patient in the emergency department includes a differential diagnosis spanning multiple organ systems. Splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) is one of those rare diagnoses with potentially high morbidity and mortality.

Case Series: This case series explores two unusual cases of postpartum SAAs.

Needle thoracostomy for tension pneumothorax: failure predicted by chest computed tomography.

Objective: Tension pneumothorax can lead to cardiovascular collapse and death. In the prehospital setting, needle thoracostomy for emergent decompression may be lifesaving. Taught throughout the United States to emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and physicians, the true efficacy of this procedure is unknown.