SAEM Clinical Images Series: There’s a Stone Under My Tongue

stone

A 44-year-old female presented to the emergency department with the complaint of a “stone under [her] tongue.” She reported that the “stone” had been present and painless for two years. The day prior, she began experiencing pain at this site while brushing her teeth. She squeezed the area in an attempt to expel it, but this action only increased her pain.

Additional Images

Physical Exam

Vitals: BP 156/92; Pulse 80; Temp 98.4°F; Resp 14; SpO2 100%

General: Sitting on chair, no acute distress

HEENT: Localized swelling to the inferior lingual frenulum at Wharton’s duct with associated erythema. Partially visualized white calculus, palpable through the mucosal membrane.

Laboratory Data

None

Case Question: What is the diagnosis?

Sialolith in Wharton’s Duct. There was visual and tactile evidence of a calculus under the patient’s tongue. It had slowly grown and was associated with increased pain and swelling while brushing her teeth.

Case Question: What are possible management options?

The majority of sialoliths can be managed conservatively with hydration, moist heat application, massaging of the gland, milking the duct, and advising the patient to suck on tart candies to promote salivation. Larger, more superficial sialoliths may benefit from excision in the emergency department. In the case above, local anesthetic was injected, and manual expulsion was attempted but was unsuccessful. The emergency physician made a single 1 cm incision over the calculus and a 0.5 cm x 0.75 cm sialolith was removed with minimal bleeding. The patient was discharged on a course of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.

Case Discussion

Take-Home Points

Dehydration, trauma, anticholinergics, and diuretics predispose to the formation of sialoliths, with 80-90% arising from the submandibular glands. As with our patient, the most common presentation is a single calculus within Wharton’s duct causing pain and swelling during periods of increased salivation.
Conservative treatment is the mainstay of sialolith management. Larger, more superficial sialoliths may require excision. Imaging and specialist referral should be considered in cases concerning for tumor, abscess, or treatment failure.

References

Huoh KC, Eisele DW. Etiologic factors in sialolithiasis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011 Dec;145(6):935-9. doi: 10.1177/0194599811415489. Epub 2011 Jul 13. PMID: 21753035.

Copyright

Images and cases from the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Clinical Images Exhibit at the 2023 SAEM Annual Meeting | Copyrighted by SAEM 2023 – all rights reserved. View other cases from this Clinical Image Series on ALiEM.

By Rachel Sealby, DO|2023-08-27T21:38:49-07:00Aug 28, 2023|HEENT, SAEM Clinical Images|

SAEM Clinical Images Series: My Eye Looks Different

cone

A 29 year-old-male with a past medical history of left eye enucleation secondary to a gunshot wound several years prior presents to the Emergency Department (ED) for blurry vision, redness, and concern for a deformity to his right eye. The patient states symptoms started 2-3 months ago and he initially thought symptoms were due to allergies and recalls rubbing his eye a lot. Over the past 3-4 days, he noticed an acute decline in his vision with what the patient describes as a “cloudy bump” appearing during that time. The patient normally does not wear contacts or corrective lenses but states his vision is very blurry and he is now having difficulty reading. He also reports photophobia and mild eye pain. Review of systems is negative for any fevers, headache, eye discharge, or any recent falls or trauma.

Additional Images

Physical Exam

Vitals: BP 125/83; Pulse 70; Temp 97.6 F (36.4 C); Resp 17; SpO2 100%

Constitutional: No acute distress, lying in stretcher comfortably.

Head: No visible traumatic injuries. No peri-orbital edema or facial swelling.

Eyes:

OD: Edematous cone-shaped protrusion with central haziness. V-shaped deformity to lower lid margin noted on downward gaze. The patient reports no pain when performing extraocular movement testing which is intact and pupil is reactive to light. Visual fields intact. There is no fluorescein uptake upon Wood’s Lamp exam and IOP is 18. VisualAcuity OD 20/200.
OS: Eye prosthesis in place.

Nose: No foreign bodies.

Mouth/Throat: Oropharynx is clear and moist and mucous membranes are normal.

Neck: Normal range of motion.

Laboratory Data

None

Case Question: What is the diagnosis?

Corneal hydrops secondary to keratoconus.

Keratoconus is a degenerative, multifactorial, non-inflammatory disorder of the cornea that causes bilateral thinning of the cornea and distorted vision. The corneal thinning leads to a structural weakness in the collagen fibers that causes the characteristic bulging, “cone-shaped” cornea. If the thinning is significant enough, a break in collagen fibers and Descemet’s membrane lead to sudden edema which appears as a corneal opacification. This complication is known as corneal hydrops and causes sudden eye pain and decreased visual acuity. Patients with keratoconus present in young adulthood with progressive blurry or distorted vision. Risk factors include connective tissue disorders and Down syndrome as well as a familial history of keratoconus. There is also a risk in patients with a history of eye rubbing as was the case with this patient. The initial treatment for keratoconus is corrective eyewear for refractive correction.

Case Question: What is the classic exam finding?

The clinical hallmark of keratoconus is the cone-like protrusion of the cornea. The bulging may eventually lead to “Munson’s sign”, a v-shaped indentation of the lower eyelid on downward gaze as the cornea bulges outward that is seen in advanced keratoconus.

Case Discussion

Take-Home Points

Suspect keratoconus in patients with a history of constant eye rubbing, developmental delay (i.e. Down Syndrome), and in patients with connective tissue disorders.
Munson’s Sign is a v-shaped indentation of the lower eyelid on downward gaze as the cornea bulges outward.
Initial treatment of keratoconus is conservative management with prompt ophthalmology follow-up.

References

V. Mas Tur, C. MacGregor, R. Jayaswal, D. O’Brart, N. MaycockA review of keratoconus: Diagnosis, pathophysiology, and genetics Surv Ophthalmol, 62 (6) (2017), pp. 770-783
Gold J, Chauhan V, Rojanasthien S, Fitzgerald J. Munson’s Sign: An Obvious Finding to Explain Acute Vision Loss. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2019 Jul 8;3(3):312-313. doi: 10.5811/cpcem.2019.5.42793. PMID: 31403106; PMCID: PMC6682229.
Gialousakis, John P. “Management of Acute Corneal Hydrops in a Patient with Keratoconus: a Teaching Case Report.” The Journal of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, vol. 45, 2020.
Greenwald MF, Vislisel JM, Goins KM. Acute Corneal Hydrops. EyeRounds.org. August 3, 2016; Available from: http://EyeRounds.org/cases/241-acute-corneal-hydrops.htm
Stack L, Sheedy C, Bales B. Corneeal Hydrops: A Complication of Keratoconus. Visual Diagnosis Ophthalmology. Published 2015 Dec 11. Available from: https://www.emra.org/emresident/article/corneal-hydrops-a-complication-of-keratoconus/

Copyright

Images and cases from the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Clinical Images Exhibit at the 2021 SAEM Annual Meeting | Copyrighted by SAEM 2021 – all rights reserved. View other cases from this Clinical Image Series on ALiEM.

By Jonathon Brewer, MD|2023-04-05T14:07:32-07:00Apr 17, 2023|HEENT, Ophthalmology, SAEM Clinical Images|

SAEM Clinical Images Series: Facial Swelling

A 5-year-old male with a history of recent frontal sinusitis associated with preseptal cellulitis requiring surgery presented with facial swelling. Swelling developed in the 24 hours prior to presentation without facial pain, nausea, or emesis. Denied facial trauma as well as any neurologic deficits, loss of consciousness, headaches, or fever/chills. At the time of his prior surgery, he presented with swelling localized to the left eye along with worsening pain, nausea, and emesis. After surgery, he was discharged in stable condition on antibiotics for 10 days. He has been in his usual state of health since that time.

Additional Images

Physical Exam

Vitals: BP 93/59 (Sitting); HR 84; Temp 37.3 °C (99.1 °F) (Oral); Resp 12; Wt 20.6 kg (45 lb 6.6 oz)

General: Active, alert, normal development, and in no acute distress

HEENT: Swelling over the forehead and nasal bridge. Tenderness to palpation over the forehead. No erythema or overlying skin changes.

Nose: Normal appearance. No congestion or rhinorrhea.

Mouth/Throat: Mucous membranes are moist. Oropharynx is clear.

Laboratory Data

White blood cell (WBC) count: 8.9 x 10^3/uL

Hemoglobin: 11.5 g/dL

Platelets: 365 x 10^3/uL

ANC: 4.490 x 10^3/uL

ESR: 15 mm

CRP: <0.5 mg

Case Question: What is the best imaging modality in the emergency department to further evaluate this lesion?

In the initial management of this patient, CT imaging of the head with contrast should be used to characterize the lesion and evaluate for intracranial involvement. In our patient, the CT scan showed frontal bone osteomyelitis with possible extension into the subdural space. He was admitted on broad-spectrum antibiotics and surgical washout was performed the following day.

Case Question: What are the possible complications of this condition?

Pott’s Puffy Tumor is a rare but serious complication of sinusitis with potential intracranial involvement. Complications include orbital cellulitis, intracranial abscess, meningitis, and cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Case Discussion

Take-Home Points

Pott’s Puffy Tumor is a rare potential complication of sinusitis. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce morbidity.
CT of the head with contrast is the initial imaging that should be obtained in the emergency department.

References

Blumfield E1, Misra M. Pott’s puffy tumor, intracranial, and orbital complications as the initial presentation of sinusitis in healthy adolescents, a case series. Emerg Radiol. 2011 Jun;18(3):203-10. PMID: 21380513.
Palabiyik FB1, Yazici Z, Cetin B, Celebi S, Hacimustafaoglu M. Pott Puffy Tumor in Children: A Rare Emergency Clinical Entity. J Craniofac Surg. 2016 May;27(3):e313-6. PMID: 27100642.

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By Austin Cummings|2022-12-08T22:22:41-08:00Dec 19, 2022|HEENT, Pediatrics, SAEM Clinical Images|

SAEM Clinical Images Series: My Eye is Swollen

eye

A 56-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department with a chief complaint of painful eyelid swelling and itching upon waking up. He reported no history of trauma or fever. He had one similar episode in the past which was self-limiting. The patient denied vision loss, diplopia, pain with extraocular movement, and ophthalmoplegia.

Additional Images

Physical Exam

Vitals: T 37.4°C; BP 129/73; HR 91; RR 16

General: A/O x 3; well nourished in NAD

HEENT: Extraocular movements intact in both eyes. Pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation bilaterally. Visual Acuity: OD 20/20, OS 20/25.

Left eye: Diffuse swelling and erythema to the left upper and medial lower eyelids with minimal purulent discharge from the lacrimal puncta. Tenderness localized to the medial canthal region.

Right eye: Normal.

Laboratory Data

Complete blood count (CBC): within normal limits

Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP): within normal limits

Case Question: What is the diagnosis?

Acute dacryocystitis. Dacryocystitis is defined by inflammation or infection of the nasolacrimal sac. Whether acute or chronic, acquired or congenital, inflammation is caused by obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct usually from infection, trauma, or a space-occupying lesion. The most common infectious organisms are Staphylococcus and beta-hemolytic streptococcus species. The classic clinical presentation is a sudden onset of swelling, erythema, and tenderness in the medial part of the orbit. Conjunctival injection and swelling around the entire orbit can suggest the development of preseptal cellulitis. Complications of dacryocystitis include orbital abscess, orbital cellulitis, vision loss, ophthalmoplegia, and eyelid necrosis. The differential diagnosis includes dacryoadenitis, lacrimal sac or sinonasal tumor, ethmoid sinusitis, and infected sebaceous or dermoid cyst.

Case Question: What is the treatment?

Treatment for dacryocystitis depends on the severity and clinical manifestations of the disease. In mild cases, symptoms will resolve with the application of warm compresses, lacrimal sac massage (Crigler technique), and topical antibiotics if indicated. Severe cases may require oral or parenteral antibiotics and surgical decompression.

Case Discussion

Take-Home Points

Dacryocystitis is inflammation of the medial nasolacrimal sac preceded by obstruction and may be acute or chronic, congenital or acquired.
Dacryocystitis exhibits a bimodal age distribution. The common congenital form is found in infancy, and in adulthood at age of 40 years older.
Dacryocystitis is occasionally mistaken for dacryoadenitis (inflammation of the nasolacrimal gland with superolateral eyelid edema). Far less common, dacryoadenitis is associated with systemic inflammatory conditions such as malignancy, Sjogren syndrome, sarcoidosis, Crohn’s disease, and other autoimmune diseases.
Proper recognition and prompt treatment may prevent serious complications including orbital cellulitis, vision loss, and sepsis.

References

Alsalamah AK, Alkatan HM, Al-Faky YH. Acute dacryocystitis complicated by orbital cellulitis and loss of vision: A case report and review of the literature. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2018;50:130-134. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2018.07.045. Epub 2018 Aug 9. PMID: 30118963; PMCID: PMC6098209.

Carlisle RT, Digiovanni J. Differential Diagnosis of the Swollen Red Eyelid. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Jul 15;92(2):106-12. PMID: 26176369.

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By Ifeoluwa Akisanya|2022-09-11T10:08:30-07:00Sep 19, 2022|HEENT, SAEM Clinical Images|

SAEM Clinical Images Series: Unilateral Facial Pain

A 78-year-old male with a past medical history of Lewy body dementia, hypertension on bisoprolol, hypothyroidism, COPD, chronic lower extremity edema on furosemide, and overactive bladder on oxybutynin presented to the emergency department for evaluation of three days of progressively worsening left-sided neck and facial swelling. Associated symptoms included poor oral intake, a nonproductive cough, and one week of sore throat.

Additional Images

The black arrow represents the left parotid gland.

Physical Exam

Vitals: Afebrile; normal room air saturation

HEENT: Firm, tender, warm and erythematous swelling over the left mandibular ramus that extended to the cheek, left neck, and spread caudally into the supraclavicular region and anterior chest. There were no identifiable hard masses or areas of fluctuance. Further inspection of the oral cavity revealed dry mucous membranes, poor dental hygiene without identifiable dental abscess, tonsils were normal size and equal bilaterally, and uvula was midline. Direct pressure externally over the area of concern revealed purulent discharge from Stenson’s duct.

Laboratory Data

White blood cell (WBC) count: 22.15

Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP): Na 131; BUN 39; Cr 3.3

Lactic acid: 2.9

Case Question: What is the diagnosis based on the clinical images?

Acute suppurative parotitis (ASP) is a serious bacterial infection of the parotid gland that occurs in patients with diminished salivary flow, increased susceptibility to infection, and poor oral hygiene. Our patient had multiple risk factors for this disease which can include dehydration, advanced age, sialolithiasis, medications (diuretics, beta-blockers, antihistamines, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, anticholinergics), and certain disorders including diabetes, HIV, hypothyroidism, Sjogren’s syndrome. The most common organisms responsible for ASP are Staphylococcus aureus and oral flora anaerobes.

Case Question: What are the potential feared complications of this disease process?

The most feared complications include supraglottitis, cervical necrotizing fasciitis, and other deep neck space infections which can be surgical emergencies and rarely cause impending airway obstruction. Further central and vascular complications include brain abscess, central venous thrombosis, and Lemierre’s syndrome

Case Discussion

Take-Home Points

The role of bedside ultrasound in acute suppurative parotitis can help to rule out a superficial abscess or sialolithiasis. CT scan is beneficial in ruling out deep space infections as a complication from this disease process or other causes of head and neck swelling.
ASP-associated complications are rare but can lead to significant morbidity and mortality secondary to the parotid gland’s proximity to vital structures and ability to spread to adjacent deep spaces.
Emergency medicine physicians will manage acute suppurative parotitis and must be aware of the potential complications when determining safe disposition and appropriate treatment.

References

Markovich A, Ronen O. Factors predicting length of stay in patients hospitalized for acute parotitis. J Investig Med. 2021 Feb;69(2):388-392. doi: 10.1136/jim-2020-001506. Epub 2020 Oct 21. PMID: 33087427.

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By Charles Johnson, DO|2022-09-11T10:03:16-07:00Sep 12, 2022|HEENT, SAEM Clinical Images|

SAEM Clinical Image Series: Snowball Effects

A 13-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with complaints of a right eye injury. Five hours prior to arrival, he was struck directly in the right eye with a snowball resulting in immediate eye pain, localized swelling, some flashes of light in his vision and blurry vision. Prior to arrival, the patient had been seen at an optometry center where puff pressures of his eyes were obtained and the right eye was noted to have an increased intraocular pressure (IOP) of 46 mmHg compared to a pressure of 13 mmHg on the left. He continued to endorse photophobia and mild right eye pain.

Additional Images

Physical Exam

Eye:

No bony tenderness or crepitus surrounding the right eye
Positive blood fluid level in the anterior chamber
EOMI
On confrontation of visual fields, the patient was unable to count fingers in all fields on the right but could detect light and movement
Red reflex could not be elicited on fundoscopic exam
On fluorescein exam, no flow of aqueous humor and no corneal abrasions
Tono-Pen IOP measurements were 41mmHg in the right eye, and 27 mmHg in the left eye

Laboratory Data

Non-contributory

Case Question: What are the red flags in this patient's history and physical exam?

The red flags include a history of vision loss and the presence of ocular hypertension with the hyphema. Ophthalmology was emergently consulted for the intraocular hypertension. By the time of evaluation by the specialist, the patient stated that his vision was less blurry and he did not see any spots in his vision. The photos demonstrate progression of the traumatic hyphema from grade IV, to grade II, and then grade I.

Case Question: What emergent conditions need to be ruled out?

The emergent conditions that must be addressed include open globe and intraocular hypertension. Ophthalmology IOP measurements were 14 mmHg bilaterally. Visual acuities were 20/40 on the right and 20/20 on the left. A dilated eye exam with the slit lamp could not fully assess the posterior eye structures due to haziness. A metal eye shield was applied to the patient’s right eye, and he was discharged with cyclopentolate and prednisolone acetate eye drops, and an ophthalmology follow-up appointment within 24 hours. The patient was instructed to be on bed rest with the head of the bed elevated and to avoid straining.

Case Discussion

Take-Home Points

In traumatic eye injury, pay attention to eye color changes with grade IV hyphema which can be missed unless you compare it to the uninjured side.

Look for features of an open globe which include irregularly shaped pupils, delayed consensual light response, extrusion of vitreous, Seidel’s sign (fluorescein streaming of tears away from the puncture site).

Beware of intraocular hypertension (>21 mmHg) with high-grade traumatic hyphema which needs to be emergently addressed to prevent optic nerve atrophy and permanent vision loss.

References

Brandt MT, Haug RH. Traumatic hyphema: a comprehensive review. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2001 Dec;59(12):1462-70. doi: 10.1053/joms.2001.28284. PMID: 11732035.

Gharaibeh A, Savage HI, Scherer RW, Goldberg MF, Lindsley K. Medical interventions for traumatic hyphema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Jan 19;(1):CD005431. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005431.pub2. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;12:CD005431. PMID: 21249670; PMCID: PMC3437611.

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By Jennifer Butler, MD|2022-02-25T11:19:17-08:00Mar 7, 2022|HEENT, Ophthalmology, SAEM Clinical Images, Trauma|

Nasal congestion is a common symptom of upper respiratory tract infections, such as bronchiolitis, in newborns and infants. Because newborns are obligate nose breathers, any congestion presents a challenge during feeding and sleeping. These infants become frustrated when they cannot breathe while feeding and tend to have disturbed sleep when their nasal passages are occluded. This often leads to dehydration and irritability. Although the infant bulb syringe (above) can often alleviate the congestion, other commercial products may be able to more forcefully clean out the nasal mucus (e.g., NoseFrida, Bubzi Nasal Aspirator).

Trick of the Trade: DIY Nasal Snot Aspirator

In the Emergency Department, you may encounter families who may not have the resources to purchase or be aware of commercial aspiration devices for children. The concept behind our DIY Nasal Snot Aspirator is to allow the caregiver to suction the child’s nose using the negative pressure generated from the caregiver’s own mouth. The left video demonstrates how the NoseFrida works, and the right video demonstrates our DIY Nasal Snot Aspirator. Note that the specimen trap serves as the protective “filter”, or barrier, between the child’s suctioned mucus and the caregiver’s mouth. Thanks to Stephany Landry, RN, BSN for sharing this trick of the trade.

Equipment Needed: DIY nasal snot aspirator

Left: Little Sucker Aspirator [Amazon]
Middle: Short suction tubing
Right: Mucous specimen trap, 40 cc [Amazon]

Description of the Trick

Suction tubing: Attach one end to the Little Sucker Aspirator and the other end to the short connector port on the specimen trap.
Instill some saline drops into the child’s nose.
Insert the aspirator tip of your contraption into the child’s nostril.
Have the caregiver suck out through the “straw” attached on top of the specimen trap.