Does intravenous magnesium improve outcomes for patients with acute non-traumatic headache in the emergency department? This review of a randomised trial examines the size of the analgesic benefit, adverse effects and whether a statistically positive result is enough to change practice.
The Ket-Mid trial tested adding ketamine to midazolam for initial treatment of paediatric convulsive status epilepticus. We review its seizure-control findings and explain why the single-centre setting, delayed treatment and differences from UK practice make the author cautious about changing care.
PodcastLondon Trauma Conference
The St Emlyn’s Podcast features Dr. Jeff Kerrie discussing hyperbaric medicine. Discover how HBOT works, its role in treating dive-related injuries, and its expanding applications in emergency and critical care.
Tom Roberts and Dan Horner discuss the SHED study of adults presenting with acute headache. The article and podcast examine CT timing, the Ottawa SAH rule and lumbar puncture, including why observational evidence and the distinction between aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal bleeding matter when considering changes to practice.
A 2022 overview of severe traumatic brain injury, centred on preventing secondary injury before and during specialist transfer. Dan Horner discusses tiered management and unresolved questions about osmotherapy, blood-pressure targets and brain tissue oxygen monitoring.
Conference ReportsCommunication Skills
Highlights from the final day of the 2022 RCEM Spring CPD Conference in Bournemouth. Chris Gray covers care of older people, functional neurological disorders, radiology and practical service improvements, including access to telephone interpreting.
Practical perspectives on trauma care and team leadership.
Explore the series →