Anterior Drawer Test Assesses: Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) Position: Knee joint in flexion and ankle in 10-15 degrees plantar flexion Maneuver: The examiner exerts a downward force on the tibia while simultaneously attempting to “lift up” the foot while grasping behind the heel. Interpretation: A significant difference from the unaffected…
Salter Harris Classification for Physeal Fracture: Mnemonic
In children, the growth plate (physis) is a zone of cartilate situated between the epiphysis and the metaphysis of long bones. Cartilage is weaker than bone and thus is a common site of fracture. The Salter-Harris classification consists of 5 different types of growth plate fractures based on the location…
Ottawa Foot, Ankle and Knee rules – Mnemonic
Ottawa Ankle and Foot Rules Mnemonic: 44-55-66-PM Patients need an X-ray only if: 4: Unable to do 4 steps immediately AND4: Unable to do 4 steps at Emergency Department OR 5: Has pain at the base of 5th metatarsal5: Has pain at the 5caphoid (Navicular) OR 6: Tenderness in 6…
San Francisco Syncope Rule (FED 30 90)
San Francisco Syncope Rule (SFSR) defines high risk criteria for patients with syncope. FED 30 90 Failure (Congestive heart failure) ECG abnormalities Dyspnea (shortness of breath) Hematocrit <30% Systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg (at any time) Presence of any of the above criteria is regarded as positive. Mnemonic: CHESS Congestive…
Hot Potato Voice
Synonyms: Hot potato speech, Potato in mouth It is a term for a defect of resonance in which the speech has muffled quality, fancifully likened to a person speaking with a (very) hot potato in their mouth. Mechanism of Hot Potato Voice: Hot potato voice is the result of an…
Manual detorsion of testis in Testicular Torsion
Indications of Manual Detorsion It can serve as a temporizing measure to attempt to reperfuse the testis while the patient is awaiting definite surgical management. Contraindications of Manual Detorsion Manual detorsion is not recommended for torsion of duration >6-8 hours (prolonged ischemia leads to marked swelling and edema after which…
Wilm’s Tumor (Nephroblastoma) : Quick review
Wilm’s tumor is the most common primary renal tumor of childhood. Origin: Embryonic nephrogenic (mesodermal) cells Mechanism: Deletion of WT-1 gene on chromosome 11 Pathology: a. Macroscopic (Gross): large, solitary tan to grey color mass; pale on cut section with areas of hemorrhage; 10% are bilateral or multicentric; grossly difficult…
C-spine Clearance
C-spine clearance refers to a clinical decision suggesting the absence of acute bone related, ligamentous and neurologic abnormalities of the cervical spine based on history, physical exam and/or negative radiologic studies. NEXUS criteria for C-spine Clearance NEXUS (National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study) is a set of validated criteria used to decide…