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A dedicated program with guideline to enhance sepsis care was launched in July 2014 in Emergency Department (ED) of two regional hospitals. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventional program for severe sepsis patients, in antibiotic delivery rate and survival outcome. It is a before-and-after interventional study with data from July to December 2013 and August 2014 to January 2015. A dedicated program for severe sepsis patients was introduced in July 2014. The outcome measures were blood culture rate, antibiotic administration rate in ED and mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test was used for comparison of the survival. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to predict time to mortality adjusted for covariates. 64 patients were included, 31 patients were in the pre-intervention group whereas 33 post-intervention. Both blood culture rate (29% vs 72.7%; p<0.001) and antibiotics administration in ED (38.7% vs 72.7%, p=0.0011) were significantly increased. Survival outcome was significantly improved in patients receiving timely antibiotics in ED (log-rank test p=0.016). Antibiotics administered in ED had hazard ratio of 0.178 (95% CI 0.053 to 0.595; p=0.005) in the Cox Proportional hazard regression model with adjustment of covariates. Age (adjusted odds ratio 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.12, p=0.033) and initial hypotension (adjusted odds ratio 0.97, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.99, p=0.005) were significant predictors of mortality. A dedicated guideline for severe sepsis management could improve blood culture rate, early antibiotics administration in the emergency department. Patients received early antibiotic had better outcome and survival.

Objective A dedicated program with guideline to enhance sepsis care was launched in July 2014 in Emergency Department (ED) of two regional hospitals. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventional program for severe sepsis patients, in antibiotic delivery rate and survival outcome.Methods It is a before-and-after interventional study with data from July to December 2013 and August 2014 to January 2015. A dedicated program for severe sepsis patients was introduced in July 2014. The outcome measures were blood culture rate, antibiotic administration rate in ED and mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test was used for comparison of the survival. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to predict time to mortality adjusted for covariates.Results 64 patients were included, 31 patients were in the pre-intervention group whereas 33 post-intervention. Both blood culture rate (29% vs 72.7%; p<0.001) and antibiotics administration in ED (38.7% vs 72.7%, p=0.0011) were significantly increased. Survival outcome was significantly improved in patients receiving timely antibiotics in ED (log-rank test p=0.016). Antibiotics administered in ED had hazard ratio of 0.178 (95% CI 0.053 to 0.595; p=0.005) in the Cox Proportional hazard regression model with adjustment of covariates. Age (adjusted odds ratio 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.12, p=0.033) and initial hypotension (adjusted odds ratio 0.97, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.99, p=0.005) were significant predictors of mortality.Conclusion A dedicated guideline for severe sepsis management could improve blood culture rate, early antibiotics administration in the emergency department. Patients received early antibiotic had better outcome and survival.

Noisy belching in front of other people, often considered to be an impolite manner, may not be as harmless as it seems. We report on a patient who had spontaneous pneumomediastinum after intentional induction of noisy belching by rapid excessive intake of carbonated drinks (imitating the game played in a popular local television program “The Super Trio Continues…”). The clinical features, investigations and management of spontaneous pneumomediastinum are discussed.

Noisy belching in front of other people, often considered to be an impolite manner, may not be as harmless as it seems. We report on a patient who had spontaneous pneumomediastinum after intentional induction of noisy belching by rapid excessive intake of carbonated drinks (imitating the game played in a popular local television program “The Super Trio Continues…”). The clinical features, investigations and management of spontaneous pneumomediastinum are discussed.

Appendicitis is one of the most common acute abdominal conditions encountered in the Emergency Department. It is a surgical condition that can affect any person of any age and often with varying clinical presentations. In the majority of cases, the diagnosis is straightforward. However in some, the diagnosis requires a heightened clinical suspicion. The application of adjuvant laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging helps to reduce the associated complications, morbidity and mortality of delayed diagnosis.

Appendicitis is one of the most common acute abdominal conditions encountered in the Emergency Department. It is a surgical condition that can affect any person of any age and often with varying clinical presentations. In the majority of cases, the diagnosis is straightforward. However in some, the diagnosis requires a heightened clinical suspicion. The application of adjuvant laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging helps to reduce the associated complications, morbidity and mortality of delayed diagnosis.

Computed radiography offers many advantages over the conventional radiography. With new technological breakthroughs and the development of systems that are more cost-effective, there has been an increase in its use in the recent years. However, like all imaging modalities, one must be aware of the various artifacts that are likely to lead to misdiagnosis. In this article, we illustrate the potential hardware and software artifacts that are associated with its use.

Computed radiography offers many advantages over the conventional radiography. With new technological breakthroughs and the development of systems that are more cost-effective, there has been an increase in its use in the recent years. However, like all imaging modalities, one must be aware of the various artifacts that are likely to lead to misdiagnosis. In this article, we illustrate the potential hardware and software artifacts that are associated with its use.

We report a case of a 79-year-old gentleman presenting with numbness of both hands. A magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine demonstrated features suggestive of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord which was further supported by a low serum vitamin B12. This is a reversible condition if early diagnosis can be made and vitamin B12therapy promptly given. Delayed treatment can result in irreversible neurological impairment.

We report a case of a 79-year-old gentleman presenting with numbness of both hands. A magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine demonstrated features suggestive of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord which was further supported by a low serum vitamin B12. This is a reversible condition if early diagnosis can be made and vitamin B12therapy promptly given. Delayed treatment can result in irreversible neurological impairment.

Patients with clinically palpable testicular nodule, regardless of absence or accompanying symptom of pain, require further evaluation. Testicular carcinoma including embryonal carcinoma has varied appearances and the diagnosis can be difficult unless there is presence of local infiltration or distant metastatic deposits. Ultrasound examination is the imaging modality of choice to quickly confirm the clinical findings of testicular mass at the Emergency Department and distinguish a testicular mass from an extra-testicular mass and extent of the disease. Despite presentations in varying stages of disease, the treatment will include orchiectomy.

Patients with clinically palpable testicular nodule, regardless of absence or accompanying symptom of pain, require further evaluation. Testicular carcinoma including embryonal carcinoma has varied appearances and the diagnosis can be difficult unless there is presence of local infiltration or distant metastatic deposits. Ultrasound examination is the imaging modality of choice to quickly confirm the clinical findings of testicular mass at the Emergency Department and distinguish a testicular mass from an extra-testicular mass and extent of the disease. Despite presentations in varying stages of disease, the treatment will include orchiectomy.

We describe a patient with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee presenting with acute knee pain. This condition is less often thought of especially among elderly patients who present with knee pain and with no accompanying history of trauma. They are often assumed to be suffering from osteoarthritis. However, we believe that radionuclide bone scan is helpful especially when the plain radiographs are of little or no diagnostic value.

We describe a patient with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee presenting with acute knee pain. This condition is less often thought of especially among elderly patients who present with knee pain and with no accompanying history of trauma. They are often assumed to be suffering from osteoarthritis. However, we believe that radionuclide bone scan is helpful especially when the plain radiographs are of little or no diagnostic value.

Purple discolouration of urine is not commonly encountered in accident and emergency departments. We report a case of an elderly gentleman on long-term urinary catheter who presented with purple discolouration of urine. He was found to have urinary tract infection caused by the bacteria Proteus mirabilis. The urine became clear after urinary catheter change and antibiotic treatment. This is called the purple urine bag syndrome and emergency physicians should be aware of this uncommon condition and the associated potentially dangerous conditions in order to initiate appropriate management.

Purple discolouration of urine is not commonly encountered in accident and emergency departments. We report a case of an elderly gentleman on long-term urinary catheter who presented with purple discolouration of urine. He was found to have urinary tract infection caused by the bacteria Proteus mirabilis. The urine became clear after urinary catheter change and antibiotic treatment. This is called the purple urine bag syndrome and emergency physicians should be aware of this uncommon condition and the associated potentially dangerous conditions in order to initiate appropriate management.

Inflammatory pseudotumour is a benign mesenchymal lesion that has distinct pathological features. Patients often present with haematuria, abdominal pain or recurrent cystitis. There are overlapping features with bladder sarcoma in presentation, age range, and size, but the pseudotumour does not metastasise. Awareness of this unusual lesion is important to prevent its misinterpretation. Complete surgical excision of the tumour mass is the treatment of choice.

Inflammatory pseudotumour is a benign mesenchymal lesion that has distinct pathological features. Patients often present with haematuria, abdominal pain or recurrent cystitis. There are overlapping features with bladder sarcoma in presentation, age range, and size, but the pseudotumour does not metastasise. Awareness of this unusual lesion is important to prevent its misinterpretation. Complete surgical excision of the tumour mass is the treatment of choice.

Benign intratesticular lesions such as epidermoid cyst are rare, but recognition is important to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention (orchiectomy). The combination of ultrasonographic findings and negative tumour markers can help differentiate benign from malignant intratesticular lesions. At surgery, the lesion can be enucleated and frozen sections obtained to confirm the diagnosis, thus avoiding the need for orchiectomy.

Benign intratesticular lesions such as epidermoid cyst are rare, but recognition is important to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention (orchiectomy). The combination of ultrasonographic findings and negative tumour markers can help differentiate benign from malignant intratesticular lesions. At surgery, the lesion can be enucleated and frozen sections obtained to confirm the diagnosis, thus avoiding the need for orchiectomy.

Avulsion of the myo-tendinous junction of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle is commonly associated with strenuous physical activities such as racquet sports, skiing, and running. The injury is painful, distressing and can be disabling. Ready availability makes ultrasound study the imaging modality of choice in the emergency department.

Avulsion of the myo-tendinous junction of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle is commonly associated with strenuous physical activities such as racquet sports, skiing, and running. The injury is painful, distressing and can be disabling. Ready availability makes ultrasound study the imaging modality of choice in the emergency department.