Emergency Medicine Australasia

doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2026.1991.tb00032.xpmid: N/A

doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2026.1991.tb00033.xpmid: N/A

SMART, N G; WORLEY, P J

doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2026.1991.tb00034.xpmid: N/A

A case of strangulated tension gastrothorax in a 34 year old man with a past history of Nissen fundoplication and asthma is described. Presenting with acute respiratory distress, decreased breath sounds and cardiovascular collapse, the chest radiograph was initially read as a tension pneumothorax. Tube thoracostomy resulted in clinical improvement by perforating and decompressing the stomach. The initial treatment of choice when a tension gastrothorax is identified is placement of a nasogastric tube which is both diagnostic and therapeutic. Thoracostomy by needle or chest drain may result in clinical improvement despite soiling of the pleural space and is indicated for patients in extremis when a nasogastric tube cannot be passed.

HOLMES, JOHN L; PEAKE, PAUL W

doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2026.1991.tb00035.xpmid: N/A

Septicaemia due to Neisseria meningitidis may be overwhelming and has a high mortality, especially in children. A case is described of rapidly fulminating mening‐ococcal septicaemia without meningitis in a previously well 14 year old girl who died within hours of the onset of illness. Clinical features of meningococcal septicaemia, the pathology, and the principles of management are described. The recent introduction of monoclonal IgM antitoxin may play a significant role in the future management of this condition.

DUNJEY, STEVEN J; DANCOCKS, ANGELA C; MAGUIRE, JOHN E; JELINEK, GEORGE A

doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2026.1991.tb00036.xpmid: N/A

A 12 month retrospective study was carried out by the Department of Emergency Medicine at Fremantle Hospital to evaluate lumbar puncture in the Emergency Department.

Walpole, Bryan; GAUDRY, P L

doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2026.1991.tb00037.xpmid: N/A

The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine has held examinations since 1985. The Primary Examination is an examination in Anatomy, Pathology, Physiology and Pharmacology taken after medical registration. The Fellowship Examination is a certifying examination in emergency medicine taken in the fifth year of a 5 year advanced training programme. In this review the format and results of the examinations held during 1985 to 1991 are compared with the examinations in emergency medicine held by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

FITZGERALD, GERARD J

doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2026.1991.tb00038.xpmid: N/A

Triage in emergency medicine describes the process of categorising patients on the basis of urgency.

doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2026.1991.tb00039.xpmid: N/A

doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2026.1991.tb00040.xpmid: N/A

doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2026.1991.tb00041.xpmid: N/A