Ultrasound for Critical Care Physicians: Who Stole My Patient’s Trachea?

Monika Kakol MD, Connor Trymbulak MSc, and Rodrigo Vazquez Guillamet MD

Department of Internal Medicine Department

University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Albuquerque, NM USA

A 73-year-old man with a past medical history of asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome and coronary artery disease presented to the emergency department with acute on chronic respiratory failure. The patient failed to respond to initial bronchodilator treatment and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation. A decision was made to proceed with endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Upper airway ultrasonography was used to confirm positioning of the endotracheal tube and the following images were obtained:

Figure 1. Longitudinal view of the trachea.

Figure 2. Transverse view of the trachea at the level of the tracheal rings.

What does the ultrasound depict (see Figures 1 & 2)? (Click on the correct answer for an explanation)

1. Endotracheal intubation
2. Esophageal intubation
3. Calcified tracheal rings
4. Thyroid

Cite as: Kakol M, Trymbulak C, Guillamet RV. Ultrasound for critical care physicians: Who stole my patient’s trachea? Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2018;17(2):72-5. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc102-18 PDF

August 2018 Critical Care Case of the Month

Emma Simpson, MD

Banner University Medical Center Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ USA

History of Present Illness

A 19-year-old gravida 1, para 0 woman in her early second trimester presented to the Emergency Department with intractable vomiting, green sputum icteric sclerae, chest pain, palpitations and weakness for one week prior to presentation. She was visiting the US from an island in Micronesia. The patient has been experiencing feelings of general malaise since the beginning of her pregnancy: she experienced severe nausea and vomiting throughout her first trimester, and a 4.5 kg weight loss in the 2 months prior to presentation.

PMH, SH, FH

Before becoming pregnant, the patient was active and healthy. She does not smoke and her family history is unremarkable.

Physical Examination

Physical exam showed a thin, small young woman. Her physical examination showed a tachycardia of 114 and icteric sclera but was otherwise unremarkable.

Which of the following should be done? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the second of six pages)

1. Admit to the hospital with measurement of electrolytes, transaminases and bilirubin
2. Discharge to home with a prescription for pyridoxine/doxylamine
3. Ultrasound
4. 1 and 3
5. All of the above

Cite as: Simpson E. August 2018 critical care case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2018;17(2):53-8. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc092-18 PDF 

Ultrasound for Critical Care Physicians: Caught in the Act

Uzoamaka Ogbonnah MD¹

Isaac Tawil MD²

Trenton C. Wray MD²

Michel Boivin MD¹

¹Department of Internal Medicine

²Department of Emergency Medicine

University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Albuquerque, NM USA

A 16-year-old man was brought to the Emergency Department via ambulance after a fall from significant height. On arrival to the trauma bay, the patient was found to be comatose and hypotensive with a blood pressure of 72/41 mm/Hg. He was immediately intubated, started on norepinephrine drip with intermittent dosing of phenylephrine, and transfused with 3 units of packed red blood cells. He was subsequently found to have extensive fractures involving the skull and vertebrae at cervical and thoracic levels, multi-compartmental intracranial hemorrhages and dissection of the right cervical internal carotid and vertebral arteries. He was transferred to the intensive care unit for further management of hypoxic respiratory failure, neurogenic shock and severe traumatic brain injury. Following admission, the patient continued to deteriorate and was ultimately declared brain dead 3 days later. The patient’s family opted to make him an organ donor

On ICU day 4, one day after declaration of brain death, while awaiting organ procurement, the patient suddenly developed sudden onset of hypoxemia and hypotension while being ventilated. The patient had a previous trans-esophageal echo (TEE) the day prior (Video 1). A repeat bedside TEE was performed revealing the following image (Video 2).

Video 1. Mid-esophageal four chamber view of the right and left ventricle PRIOR to onset of hypoxemia.

Video 2. Mid-esophageal four chamber view of the right and left ventricle AFTER deterioration.

What is the cause of the patient’s sudden respiratory deterioration? (Click on the correct answer to be directed to an explanation)

1. Atrial Myxoma
2. Fat emboli syndrome
3. Thrombus in-transit and pulmonary emboli
4. Tricuspid valve endocarditis

Cite as: Ogbonnah U, Tawil I, Wray TC, Boivin M. Ultrasound for critical care physicians: Caught in the act. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2018;17(1):36-8. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc091-18 PDF 

July 2018 Critical Care Case of the Month

Stephanie Fountain, MD

Banner University Medical Center Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ USA 

History of Present Illness

A 45-year-old man was brought to the Emergency Room by his mother complaining of weakness, dizziness, and trouble swallowing. He was also incontinent of stool and looked “sunburned”.

Past Medical History

He has a past medical history of:

• Schizophrenia
• Depression
• Polysubstance abuse
• Crohn’s disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Hyperlipidemia

Medications

• Prazosin
• Venlafaxine
• Risperidone
• Buspirone
• Oxcarbazepine
• Gabapentin
• Hydroxyzine
• Lithium
• KCL
• Metformin
• Atorvastatin
• Adalimumab
• Mesalamine
• Prednisone
• Ferrous sulfate

Physical Examination

• Vitals: 80 kg / 97.3 degrees / 101 bpm / 100% 28RR  / BP 111/72 
• The patient was toxic appearing and flushed.
• Oriented to self only, very lethargic
• Dry mucous membranes
• Lungs clear to auscultation and percussion
• Heart tachycardic but no murmurs
• Abdomen without organomegaly, masses or tenderness
• Extremities without edema

Which of the following should be done at this time? (Click on the correct answer to be directed to the second of six pages)

1. Electrolytes
2. Lumbar puncture
3. Urine drug screen
4. 1 and 3
5. All of the above

Cite as: Fountain S. July 2018 critical care case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2018;17(1):7-14. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc085-18 PDF

June 2018 Critical Care Case of the Month

Stephanie Fountain, MD

Banner University Medical Center Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ USA

History of Present Illness

A 60-year-old native American man presented to an outside hospital with several days of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The patient felt weak and called emergency medical services and was taken to the emergency department.

Past Medical History

He has a history of end stage renal disease secondary to diabetes mellitus and hypertension. He received a cadaveric renal transplant in 2008 which was complicated with acute on chronic rejection and symptomatic hyponatremia.

Physical Examination

His pulse was recorded as 28 beats/min and his blood pressure was 90/60.

Which of the following should be done? (Click on the correct answer to be directed to the second of six pages)

1. Administer atropine
2. Begin transcutaneous pacing
3. Obtain a drug history
4. 1 and 3
5. All of the above 

Cite as: Fountain S. June 2018 critical care case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2018;16(6):304-10. doi: http://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc065-18 PDF