PV Card: Dermatomal and Myotomal Maps

There are some things in life which I just can’t memorize and dermatomal/myotomal maps are one of them. Weird cases of peripheral neurologic symptoms have presented to the ED in the setting of trauma and no trauma. So purely for selfish reasons, I’m making my own map to have on file.

This installment of the Paucis Verbis (In a Few Words) e-card series reviews Sensory and Motor Function Testing by Levels.

PV Card: Dermatomal and Myotomal Maps

Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.

By Michelle Lin, MD|2021-10-08T09:42:25-07:00May 28, 2010|ALiEM Cards, Neurology, Orthopedic|

Trick of the trade: Endotracheal tube lubrication

Does your endotracheal tube get caught up on a swollen or floppy epiglottis during insertion?

Trick of the Trade: Endotracheal tube lubrication

Occasionally the endotracheal tube may become “caught up” along the epiglottis. Because it is difficult to predict when this may happen, pre-lubricate the endotracheal tube cuff and tip with a thin layer of water-soluble lubricant, such as K-Y jelly. This lubricant can also minimize the degree of surface trauma to the trachea and tracheal rings as the tube passes the vocal cords.

By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T19:00:45-08:00May 26, 2010|Tricks of the Trade|

Paucis Verbis card: Ottawa knee, ankle, and foot rules

Often times, I get called to triage to help decide whether a patient should be sent to Radiology for an initial x-ray after injuring their knee, ankle, and/or foot. After teaching one of the nurses about the Ottawa rules, she taped a list of these rules on the triage wall.

This installment of the Paucis Verbis (In a Few Words) e-card series reviews Ottawa Knee, Ankle, and Foot Rules.

(more…)

By Michelle Lin, MD|2021-10-19T19:39:35-07:00May 7, 2010|ALiEM Cards, Orthopedic, Radiology|

Creating and delivering the stellar lecture

I recently re-read a book “Made to Stick” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath which discusses why some ideas stick and others are completely forgettable. The concepts discussed have helped me design lectures.

Here’s something that I have incorporated into my talks: Memorable ideas share common attributes, which can be summarized by the acronym SUCCESs.

(more…)

By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T19:01:21-08:00May 6, 2010|Medical Education|

Trick of the trade: Percuss the spine in low back pain

Many patients present to the Emergency Department for low back pain. Determining whether these patients have a red-flag diagnosis can be difficult. Red flag diagnoses include:

Fracture
Cauda equina syndrome/ spinal cord compression
Spinal infection
Vertebral malignancy

Almost all patients presenting with back pain, whether it be a muscle spasm or a spinal epidural abscess, will have back tenderness to some extent. So, how can you better differentiate benign from dangerous etiologies?

(more…)

By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T19:01:21-08:00May 5, 2010|Tricks of the Trade|

Poll: How do you recover from a night shift?

There are so many amazing things that we get to see and do as emergency physicians.

We see sick, undifferentiated patients who need our help acutely.
We have cool toys, such as ultrasounds.
We get to do great procedures.
We work on a shift-based schedule.
We work in team-based fashion with fun nurses, technicians, and staff.

However, one major down side is that almost all of us work some night shifts.

(more…)

By Michelle Lin, MD|2019-09-10T14:05:52-07:00May 4, 2010|Life|

Article review: Mentoring in EM

This article in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medical Care reviews the EM literature on mentoring. The authors specifically do a great job summarizing practical tips.