Chris Allen
A 34 year old woman presented to the Emergency Department with a two day history of progressively worsening double vision, followed by ataxia and slurred speech. She reports a diarrhoeal illness eight days ago, though this has now resolved. She is normally fit and well and takes no regular medication.
Continue reading “Case of the Month #14”Martin Smith
You are asked to review a 25-year-old female office worker who has presented to ENT with a sore throat and a progressive dysphagia.
She is apyrexial, haemodynamically stable and fully concious. A full examination reveals extensive wounds across her thighs due to subcutaneous heroin injection.
Continue reading “Case of the Month #10”Colin McAdam
This blog aims to present a brief update on the management of stroke and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), with particular reference to critical care.
Colin McAdam
A previously well 76-year-old male presents to ED having been found on the floor at home by a relative. Collateral history reveals ‘flu-like’ symptoms and headache within the last week.
On arrival he is soiled, agitated and combative with a GCS of 9/15 (E2 V2 M5). There are no obvious localising neurological signs. Pupils are equal and reactive. Temperature is 39.0.A basic delirium screen in ED is negative (urine dip and chest x-ray). As you continue assessing the patient, he has a short-lived generalised tonic-clonic seizure.
Rosaleen Baruah
A 54 year old woman with a history of hypertension presented to the emergency department with a sudden onset severe headache. Her GCS was E3 V3 M6 on arrival, but deteriorated over the next 2 hours to E3 V2 M5. A CT brain demonstrated an intracerebral haemorrhage and a CT angiogram confirmed a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm. She was intubated and ventilated for transfer to the regional neurosciences unit where she underwent a successful endovascular coiling procedure the following morning. On sedation hold she is now GCS E1 VT M1.
What are the potential causes of her reduced level of consciousness?
Continue reading “Case of the Month #3”
