Tactical Medicine News Blog

ENT, Pediatrics, Tricks of the Trade
Trick of the Trade: Pediatric ear exam
Performing a physical exam on frightened pediatric patients can often be challenging. I am always thrilled to add more child-whisperer techniques to my arsenal of tricks. I have written in...
Michelle Lin, MD | September 20, 2011
ENT, Neurology, Tricks of the Trade
Trick of the Trade: Dix-Hallpike maneuver variation
The Dix-Hallpike maneuver is used to help diagnose benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Place the gurney's head of the bed down flat. Reposition the patient so that s/he is sitting...
Michelle Lin, MD | August 30, 2011
ENT, Trauma, Tricks of the Trade
Trick of the Trade: Splinting the ear
One of the hardest bandages to apply well is one for auricular hematomas. After drainage, how would you apply a bandage to prevent the re-accumulation of blood in the perichondrial...
Michelle Lin, MD | August 10, 2011
ENT, Tricks of the Trade
Trick of the Trade: Anesthetizing the nasal tract
One of the most uncomfortable procedures that we do on patients is a nasogastric (NG) tube. The maximal pain comes when the NG tube has to make a right...
Michelle Lin, MD | July 13, 2011
ENT, Tricks of the Trade
Trick of the Trade: Epistaxis control with tongue blades
For epistaxis, the classic teaching is to pinch the nose to control the bleeding. A persistent nosebleed often is the result of one’s natural inclination to constantly check if there...
Michelle Lin, MD | July 6, 2011
ENT, procedure, Tricks of the Trade
Trick of the Trade: Temperomandibular (TMJ) dislocation
Mandible, or TMJ, dislocations occur when the patient excessively opens the mouth, such as in a yawn. They are typically bilateral and are difficult to relocate because of masseter and...
Michelle Lin, MD | May 4, 2011
ENT, Infectious Disease, Pediatrics
Paucis Verbis card: Croup
The most common cause of stridor in pediatric patients is croup, or laryngotracheobronchitis. The distinct high-pitched, seal-like,"barky" cough can be heard from outside the patient's room often. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lepci-YheI Check out...
Michelle Lin, MD | August 20, 2010
ALiEM Cards, ENT, Pediatrics
Paucis Verbis card: Strep pharyngitis
Have you heard of the Modified Centor Score for strep pharyngitis? Interestingly, it has been validated in adults and children. The methodology builds on the traditional Centor Score by incorporating...
Michelle Lin, MD | July 30, 2010
ENT, Tricks of the Trade, video
Trick of the Trade: A tongue blade is as mighty as an xray
Patients often present to the Emergency Department for mandibular blunt trauma. Usually these patients have soft tissue swelling at the point of impact. In mandibular body fractures, the fracture line...
Michelle Lin, MD | July 21, 2010
ENT, Tricks of the Trade, Ultrasound
Trick of The Trade: Peritonsillar Abscess Drainage 2.0
Back in September of 2009 Michelle shared valuable Tricks of The Trade regarding drainage of peritonsillar abscesses. Today we revisit the topic and add two more tricks to avoid hitting...
Demian Szyld, MD EdM | June 30, 2010
ALiEM Cards, Allergy-Immunology, ENT
Paucis Verbis card: Angioedema
Recently, a patient presented with angioedema after starting taking an ACE-inhibitor. There was upper lip swelling, similar appearing to the case above. He also experience a hoarse voice. Before the...
Michelle Lin, MD | March 26, 2010
ENT, procedure, Tricks of the Trade
Trick of the trade: Ear foreign body extraction
A 6-year old boy has placed a hard bead in his ear and presents to the ED for care. How do you remove this foreign body as painlessly as possible?...
Michelle Lin, MD | March 24, 2010
ENT, procedure, Tricks of the Trade, video
Trick of the Trade: Peritonsillar abscess needle aspiration
How do you drain a peritonsillar abscess? When evaluating a patient with a sore throat and “hot potato voice,” peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is at the top of the differential diagnosis...
Michelle Lin, MD | September 9, 2009

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Tactical Medicine News Blog