Also known as: Psychotic break
College student brought to the ER by campus security after exhibiting erratic behavior in the library, speaking in code numbers, requiring sedation with droperidol. Tox screen was negative for all substances.
Also known as: Neck injury
Driver in motor vehicle accident presenting with quadriplegia but no fractures on CT. Later diagnosed with hypokalemic periodic paralysis causing the weakness, not actual spinal injury. Suffered cardiac arrest from critically low potassium but recovered.
Also known as: Periodic paralysis
Rare genetic condition where potassium shifts into cells causing profound weakness mimicking paralysis. Patient had critically low potassium of 1.2, leading to cardiac arrest requiring defibrillation. Potentially triggered by overactive thyroid.
Also known as: Ruptured spleen
Passenger in motor vehicle accident who initially refused medical examination. Developed internal bleeding from splenic injury with positive seat belt sign, leading to hemorrhagic shock requiring emergency surgery.
Also known as: ITP
Nine-year-old girl initially suspected of abuse due to multiple bruises in various stages of healing. Diagnosed with ITP (platelets at 9,000), explaining the bruising. Required treatment with high-dose steroids and IV immunoglobulin for three days.
Also known as: Brain tumor
Patient presented after fall, found to have 4-centimeter mass in frontal lobe on CT. Could be tumor, infection, or benign cyst. Planned for treatment with dexamethasone for swelling and stereotactic brain biopsy. May explain years of mood changes and aggressive behavior.
Also known as: Third-degree burn
Elderly woman who dropped a hot samovar on herself when startled by firecrackers (triggering PTSD from Tree of Life synagogue shooting). Treated burns with honey at home, but required medical debridement due to depth.
Also known as: PTSD
Tree of Life synagogue shooting survivor who experiences severe anxiety and startle responses to fireworks and firecrackers, which led to her dropping the samovar and sustaining burns.
Also known as: Tooth abscess
Patient with infected tooth requiring drainage and IV antibiotics (Unasyn). Underwent bowel prep with multiple bottles of contrast before the procedure.
Also known as: Beta-blocker overdose
Elderly man accidentally took 4-5 pills (80-100mg) of propranolol from family medication pool, causing dangerously low heart rate and blood pressure. Required IV fluids and four-hour monitoring.
Also known as: DKA
Patient with severely elevated blood sugar (521) and ketoacidosis requiring insulin drip titration, IV fluids, and careful glucose management to avoid hypoglycemia while clearing ketones.
Also known as: Something stuck up the nose
Child inserted beads into both nostrils. Required Katz extractor with balloon catheter to remove one red and one blue bead from below the inferior turbinates after topical numbing.
Also known as: Head cut
Campus security officer struck by chair thrown by agitated patient, sustaining small 5mm scalp laceration repaired with Dermabond.
Also known as: Facial cut
Nine-year-old girl sustained chin laceration and chipped baby tooth from fall on stairs while playing. Repaired with medical superglue, no sutures needed.