Diagnosing aortic dissection: A review of this elusive, lethal diagnosis.

Aortic dissection (AD) remains a difficult diagnosis in the emergency setting. Despite its rare occurrence, it is a life-threatening pathology that, if missed, is typically fatal. Previous studies have documented minimal improvement in timely and accurate diagnoses despite the advancement of computed tomography.

Clinical Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Acute Pulmonary Embolism and Adjusted D-dimer for Emergency Department Patients.

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and acute pulmonary embolism (APE) present a diagnostic challenge in the emergency department (ED) setting. We aimed to identify key clinical characteristics and D-dimer thresholds associated with APE in SARS-CoV-2 positive ED patients.

Methods: We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study for adult patients who were diagnosed with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and had computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) performed between March 17, 2020-January 31, 2021.

Nonaccidental Pediatric Trauma: Which Traditional Clues Predict Abuse?

Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine which of the child abuse clues quoted in the literature predict nonaccidental trauma (NAT): history incongruent with injuries found on examination or imaging, old injuries present, history of trauma denied by caregivers, multiple fractures present, changing history, fractures of varied duration, metaphyseal fracture, ear bruise, neck bruise, different history (second historian), and metaphyseal fracture.

Methods: This is a 4-year retrospective study of all suspected NAT cases referred to our medical center. In addition to the index visit, medical records were searched for visits before the index visit with patient historical or physical findings that might have suggested NAT but were not investigated.

Diagnostic Inaccuracies Using Extended Focused Assessment With Sonography in Trauma for Traumatic Pneumothorax.

Background: Traumatic pneumothorax (PTX) can be deadly, and rapid diagnosis is vital. Ultrasound (US) is rapidly gaining acceptance as an accurate bedside diagnostic tool. While making the diagnosis is important, not all PTX require tube thoracostomy.