A prospective, observational cohort study of patients presenting to an emergency department with acute shoulder trauma: the Manchester emergency shoulder (MESH) project.

Background: Fracture and dislocation of the shoulder are usually identifiable through the use of plain radiographs in an emergency department. However, other significant soft tissue injuries can be missed at initial presentation. This study used contrast enhanced magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) to determine the pattern of underlying soft tissue injuries in patients with traumatic shoulder injury, loss of active range of motion, and normal plain radiography.

BET 2: Striking the right balance: anticoagulation and isolated distal deep vein thrombosis.

A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether treatment of isolated distal deep vein thrombosis with therapeutic anticoagulation can reduce adverse clinical outcomes. A meta-analysis from 2011 and 11 subsequent directly relevant papers were found using the reported search strategy. Of these, 7 in total presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.

BET 1: A glass half full? Thrombolysis for the treatment of submassive pulmonary embolism.

A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether thrombolysis in addition to therapeutic anticoagulation could be of benefit in submassive (intermediate risk) pulmonary embolism (PE). 64 directly relevant papers were found using the reported search strategy. Of these, three presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.

Towards evidence-based emergency medicine: best BETs from the Manchester Royal Infirmary. Evidence exists to guide thromboembolic prophylaxis in ambulatory patients with temporary lower limb immobilisation.

A short-cut review was carried out to establish whether patients requiring lower limb immobilisation should have thromboprophylaxis. A total of 148 papers were found using the reported search, of which four presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated.