US-Assisted Lumbar Puncture in Pediatric Emergency MedicineUS-Assisted Lumbar Puncture in Pediatric Emergency Medicine
This technique could be a valuable tool in achieving successful lumbar punctures in pediatric emergency patients. The Journal of Emergency Medicine (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - August 5, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Emergency Medicine Journal Article Source Type: news
What Causes Neck Stiffness?
Discussion
The complaint of neck stiffness always makes the clinician a little concerned until he/she understands the whole history because of the potential diagnosis of meningitis/encephalitis. While this potential is always concerning, there are many other causes of neck stiffness or pain to consider that are much more common. Normal wear and tear, injury or overuse that occur in daily activities and work can cause neck stiffness or pain. Often, even in adults, the cause of the pain is not recognized. Good examples are the adolescent above, or an innocent stumble, particularly if carrying something that may cause a perso...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - June 30, 2014 Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
IV Theophylline Quickly Reduces Lumbar Puncture HeadacheIV Theophylline Quickly Reduces Lumbar Puncture Headache
A small study shows that the pain common after lumbar puncture or spinal anesthesia quickly resolves with IV theophylline, with the greatest relief in the first 30 minutes but continuing out to 60 minutes. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines - June 4, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology & Neurosurgery News Source Type: news
Hot Topics: High and Low CSF Pressure Headaches
(MedPage Today) -- How do you diagnose and treat high and low cerebrospinal fluid pressure headaches? Three clinicians provide a primer: lumbar puncture is key to diagnosing both conditions but treatment strategies differ considerably. (Source: MedPage Today Pain Management)
Source: MedPage Today Pain Management - April 24, 2014 Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: news
What Causes Ataxia?
Discussion
Coordination and balance problems are caused by various problems affecting the central and peripheral nervous system. Normal development of a child or weakness of a child are commonly mistaken for true ataxia. Ataxia specifically refers to “…impairment of the coordination of movement without loss of muscle strength.” If it is purely due to abnormalities of the cerebellum then there should be no changes in mental status, sensation or weakness. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if there are abnormalities in other areas. For example, Guillian-Barre often presents with difficulty or clumsy wal...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - March 31, 2014 Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
Could spinal fluid test give early Alzheimer’s warning?
ConclusionThe current research suggests it may be possible to identify those with Alzheimer’s using a biochemical test carried out on a spinal fluid sample. However, it is important to note that: the development of this test is at a very early stage, and the study design used here is not ideal for assessing the test’s diagnostic accuracy. Population-based testing may follow, allowing researchers to better assess the accuracy and, more importantly, how many people could be given an incorrect diagnosis of dementia based on this test. However, development still needs to be done before population-based testing could be ...
Source: NHS News Feed - March 21, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medical practice Neurology Source Type: news
Blood Test May Be Closer for Narcolepsy
Recent advances by Dr. Emmanuel Mignot's research group at Stanford University may move us closer to being able to diagnose narcolepsy with a blood test, as discussed in a recent piece on The Huffington Post.
Historically, narcolepsy has been difficult to diagnose and prior to the identification of its cause, was often dismissed as a psychiatric manifestation. The condition is relatively rare, affecting 1 in 2,000 people. It is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, hallucinations associated with sleep transitions, sleep paralysis, and often cataplexy. Cataplexy is weakness that may manifest as knee buckling o...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - February 25, 2014 Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news
Lumbar Puncture
Title: Lumbar PunctureCategory: Procedures and TestsCreated: 10/13/1998 4:25:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 1/29/2014 12:00:00 AM (Source: MedicineNet Migraine General)
Source: MedicineNet Migraine General - January 29, 2014 Category: Neurology Source Type: news
Lumbar Puncture in Children With Influenza or Other VirusesLumbar Puncture in Children With Influenza or Other Viruses
Lumbar puncture -- Useful, or a waste of resources in children with influenza? Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - December 27, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Infectious Diseases Journal Article Source Type: news
FDA Underlines Risk of Spinal Procedures on LMW HeparinsFDA Underlines Risk of Spinal Procedures on LMW Heparins
The FDA announced new recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of spinal bleeding with epidural and lumbar puncture procedures among patients taking enoxaparin and other low-molecular-weight heparins. News Alerts (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - November 6, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology & Neurosurgery News Alert Source Type: news
How Long After Neonatal Meningitis Should An Infant Have a Hearing Screening?
Discussion
Hearing loss can range from profound deafness to fairly minor loss. The causes vary based on age, type of loss (sensoryneuronal or conductive), degree and audiometric configuration. Sensorineuronal hearing loss involves the cochlea and neural connections to the brain and auditory cortex. Conductive hearing loss involves structures from the external ear to the oval window. Deafness is defined as a hearing loss > 90 dB. A differential diagnosis of hearing loss can be found here.
Learning Point
After bacterial meningitis children should be screened for potential hearing loss. Data supports that screening in the...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - October 28, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
How Long After Neonatal Meningitis Should An Infant Have a Hearing Screening?
Discussion
Hearing loss can range from profound deafness to fairly minor loss. The causes vary based on age, type of loss (sensoryneuronal or conductive), degree and audiometric configuration. Sensorineuronal hearing loss involves the cochlea and neural connections to the brain and auditory cortex. Conductive hearing loss involves structures from the external ear to the oval window. Deafness is defined as a hearing loss > 90 dB. A differential diagnosis of hearing loss can be found here.
Learning Point
After bacterial meningitis children should be screened for potential hearing loss. Data supports that screening in the ho...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - October 28, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
How Common Are Post-Dural Puncture Headaches in Children?
Discussion
Post-dural puncture headache or spinal headache as they are often called, are headaches that occur within 7 days of a lumbar puncture and remit within 14 days of the lumbar puncture. They begin or worsen within 15 minutes of being in an upright position and improve or stop within 30 minutes of lying down. The headaches are described as a throbbing, dull and severe pain worse mainly in the occipital area, but can occur with radiation to the eyes, forehead or neck. Nausea, emesis, stiff neck, and visual or auditory changes may also occur. Most spinal headaches occur within 1-2 days of the lumbar puncture and spont...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - October 14, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
How Common Are Post-Dural Puncture Headaches in Children?
Discussion
Post-dural puncture headache or spinal headache as they are often called, are headaches that occur within 7 days of a lumbar puncture and remit within 14 days of the lumbar puncture. They begin or worsen within 15 minutes of being in an upright position and improve or stop within 30 minutes of lying down. The headaches are described as a throbbing, dull and severe pain worse mainly in the occipital area, but can occur with radiation to the eyes, forehead or neck. Nausea, emesis, stiff neck, and visual or auditory changes may also occur. Most spinal headaches occur within 1-2 days of the lumbar puncture and spont...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - October 14, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
Blame These Bumps on Mosquitoes?
Multiple itchy red bumps on a man’s ankles; relative contraindications to lumbar puncture; stroke in an addict. . . 5 more questions for you to test the breadth of your clinical knowledge. (Source: Consultant Live)
Source: Consultant Live - September 26, 2013 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
