#FOAMed

A 2015 clinical review of torticollis, from a painful neck on waking to presentations associated with injury, medication, infection or neurological disease. It explores assessment across adults and children, highlighting why persistent symptoms, associated illness and follow-up matter when an apparently minor complaint may need another explanation.

Does therapeutic hypothermia improve outcomes after cardiac arrest in children? This 2015 journal club examines a trial comparing cooling with active temperature control after out-of-hospital arrest, exploring neurological outcomes, confidence intervals, study limitations and why a non-significant result does not establish that two treatments are equivalent.

How much does describing chest pain as ‘typical’ tell us about the final diagnosis? Simon Carley reviews a 2015 observational study of clinician judgement, questioning the value of experience alone and examining how patient selection, specificity and the presentation of diagnostic performance affect interpretation.

This 2015 journal club examines a trial comparing intravenous lorazepam and diazepam for children with convulsive status epilepticus. Alongside seizure control and adverse effects, the appraisal explores blinding, per-protocol analysis and why failing to demonstrate superiority does not prove that the treatments are equivalent.

Iain Beardsell and Simon Carley follow a patient with acute asthma through assessment, treatment and disposition in this 2015 induction podcast. The case-based discussion explores recognising severity, reassessment, seeking senior support and planning discharge, including inhaler technique, follow-up and advice about returning if concerns persist.