Retinal detachment on ultrasound

I just wanted to revisit the Trick of using bedside ultrasonography to diagnose retinal detachments. Be sure to use plenty of ultrasound gel and use the linear tranducer.

(more…)

By Michelle Lin, MD|2019-01-28T23:21:35-08:00Oct 19, 2010|Ophthalmology, Tricks of the Trade, Ultrasound|

Paucis Verbis card: C3-C7 spinal fractures

$Fig9E Fx FlexTear anatomy cervical spine fracture$

This is the second Paucis Verbis card on cervical spine fractures. Part 1 covered C1 and C2 fractures. This card covers the lower cervical spine fractures. These two tables are part of my chapter on “Spine and Spinal Cord Injury” in the textbook Emergency Medicine by Dr. Jim Adams (Northwestern EM Chair).

PV Card: C3-C7 Fractures and Injuries

<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>
Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.

By Michelle Lin, MD|2021-10-18T09:59:44-07:00Oct 8, 2010|ALiEM Cards, Orthopedic|

Life of an Attending: Is this or will this be you?

Thanks to one of our residents, Hangyul, I just recently learned about a hilarious comic strip series called Scutmonkey Comics in the blog The Underwear Drawer. It is side-splitting funny.

(more…)

By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T19:00:25-08:00Oct 7, 2010|Medical Education|

Trick of the trade: Discounted medications at pharmacies

Many times, patients who we deem as “noncompliant” with medications may actually be financially unable to afford medications that we prescribe them. Thanks to Amy Kinard, I just learned about this great new website where you can find pharmacies with amazing discounts for common medications.

(more…)

By Michelle Lin, MD|2026-06-16T16:03:29-07:00Oct 6, 2010|Tox & Medications, Tricks of the Trade|

Article review: Importance of first clinical clerkship

What was your first clinical clerkship rotation?

Oddly, I started my third year with a sub-internship rotation on the Burn/Plastics service as my first rotation. Not sure how that happened… I managed my own patients like a 4th year student, did lots of wound care, and even got to harvest a few skin grafts. It was trial by fire.

In a recent JAMA article, 3rd year medical students who started their clinical experiences in an Internal Medicine rotation overall did better on overall clerkship grades, when compared those who started their rotations on the Ob/Gyn, Psychiatry, or Family Medicine service.

(more…)

By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T19:00:25-08:00Oct 4, 2010|Education Articles, Medical Education|

Paucis Verbis card: C1-C2 injuries

$Cervical spine C1-C2 fracture$

I’m starting to work on co-authoring the next edition of my chapter on “Spine and Spinal Cord Injury” within the textbook “Emergency Medicine” by Dr. Jim Adams (Northwestern EM Chair). There are some useful tables that I created that I thought you might find helpful. This is the first installment covering C1-C2 fractures. The next PV card will cover the lower cervical fractures.

I always forget which are stable and unstable. For instance, the above extension teardrop fracture looks innocuous but is an unstable fracture because the anterior longitudinal ligament is ruptured.