We report a rare case of a type I Monteggia lesion with an associated fracture of the distal radius and ulna metaphysis in a child. We discuss the mechanism of injury and the importance of thorough clinical examination in childhood injuries.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is not usually considered in the differential diagnosis of isolated right testicular pain. We describe a patient who did present with isolated acute right testicular pain as the sentinel feature of a leaking AAA. In the patient group with right testicular pain, consideration of a leaking AAA should be added to the differential diagnosis. An adverse outcome can be avoided by timely diagnosis and intervention.

There is a medical myth that ureteral stones larger than 5 mm will not pass spontaneously and require urological intervention for removal. Recent findings indicate that medical expulsive therapy can facilitate spontaneous passage for stones up to 10 mm. For the management of ureteral stones, we recommend administering tamsulosin and a corticosteroid (deflazacort or prednisone) along with the standard therapy of analgesics, antibiotics and hydration.

Vomiting with abdominal pain is a common presentation in the emergency department (ED). Without a careful history, unusual causes, such as toxic ingestion, may evade diagnosis. We report a case of an Asian couple who presented to the ED with vomiting and epigastric distress. They were discharged with no definite diagnosis, but on a return ED visit the following day were diagnosed with toxic ingestion of Gyromitra esculenta, commonly known as the western false morel. The patients were admitted and treated with intravenous hydration and pyridoxine. Both patients developed mild hepatotoxicity but went on to fully recover. This case demonstrates that the western false morel may cause significant toxicity and it highlights the importance of obtaining a complete history in patients who present with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms.

We report a case of fatal necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in an otherwise well, 48-year-old Canadian man with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had travelled to Texas. Despite therapy that included intravenous antibiotics, intravenous immune globulin and other supportive measures, the patient succumbed to his illness. Recently, CA-MRSA pneumonia has been reported in several countries. The virulence of this organism may in part be related to its ability to produce toxins, such as Panton-Valentine leukocidin. As rates of CA-MRSA increase worldwide, physicians should be aware of the potential for MRSA to cause life-threatening infections in patients presenting to Canadian emergency departments (EDs). Necrotizing pneumonia caused by MRSA must be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute, severe respiratory illness. Early recognition of this syndrome in the ED may help physicians initiate appropriate antibiotic therapy in a timely manner.

Acute asthma is a common emergency department (ED) problem that is typically treated with bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories. Nebulized selective, short-acting β-agonists, such as salbutamol, are the bronchodilators of choice in most Canadian EDs. Other important treatments in moderate-to-severe cases include systemic corticosteroids and in severe cases may include the addition of ipratropium bromide and magnesium sulfate. Despite aggressive management, some patients do not respond adequately to nebulized salbutamol. Treatment options in these patients are limited to interventions such as parenteral epinephrine, and non-invasive and mechanical ventilation (or both). Both parenteral epinephrine and mechanical ventilation have associated risks, so alternative treatments with a lower risk profile would be useful for the treatment of life-threatening asthma. The following case report describes a patient in whom nebulized racemic epinephrine was used successfully to treat severe acute asthma following failure of standard first-line therapies.

Real-time ultrasound guidance for central venous catheterization increases success and reduces procedural complications. I describe a case in which guide wire resistance was encountered and real-time ultrasound visualization of the guide wire facilitated correction of guide wire malposition. No additional passes of the introducer needle were necessary and the chances of inadvertent carotid artery puncture or pneumothorax were therefore reduced. The technique described here may prove valuable when guide wire resistance is encountered while placing a central venous catheter.

We report 2 cases of teenagers who were poisoned with Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) and presented to the emergency department with a severe acute anticholinergic toxidrome after ingestion of several hundred seeds. The patients presented with visual hallucinations, disorientation, incomprehensible and nonsensical speech, and dilated sluggish pupils. Both patients required restraints for combativeness until adequate sedation with lorazepam and haloperidol was achieved.

Jimson weed is found in southern Canada and the United States and can cause acute anticholinergic poisoning and death in humans and animals. The treatment of choice for anticholinergic poisoning is mainly supportive care and gastrointestinal decontamination with activated charcoal. Jimson weed intoxication should be considered in cases of patients presenting with unexplained peripheral and central anticholinergic symptoms including delirium, agitation and seizures, especially among younger patients and partygoers. It is important that health care professionals recognize that Jimson weed is a toxic, indigenous, “wild” growing plant, subject to misuse and potentially serious intoxication requiring hospitalization.