Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 200
Just when you thought your brain could unwind on a Friday, you realise that it would rather be challenged with some good old fashioned medical trivia FFFF, introducing the Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 200
Question 1
What is the theme tune to M.A.S.H. called?
Reveal the funtabulous answer
Question 2
Which of these symbols is a rod wielded by the Greek god Asclepius, a deity associated with healing and medicine?
Reveal the funtabulous answer
The left symbol, the Rod of Asclepius.
The symbol has continued to be used in modern times, where it is associated with medicine and health care, yet frequently confused with the staff of the god Hermes, the caduceus (the symbol on the right).
Caduceus usage was popularised largely as a result of the adoption of the caduceus as its insignia by the U.S. Army Medical Corps in 1902 at the insistence of a single officer.
The Rod of Asclepius is used by 62% of professional healthcare associations whereas 76% of commercial healthcare organizations used the Caduceus symbol. The author of the study suggests the difference exists because professional associations are more likely to have a real understanding of the two symbols, whereas commercial organizations are more likely to be concerned with the visual impact a symbol will have in selling their products. [Reference]
Question 3
Joe Lex has been described as the Godfather of FOAM. He’s published one paper, what was it about?
Reveal the funtabulous answer
The radio-opacity of gummy bears on a non-contrast CT after investigating a 25 yr old male with 8/10 abdominal pain with the aim to rule out renal colic.
This led to Dr Thomas Scaletta coming up with a new mnemonic for radio-opaque substances that would be seen on radiographs and CT scans (PIG BEACH):
- Phenothiazines
- Iodine
- Gummy Bears
- Enteric-coated tablets
- Amiodarone
- Chloral Hydrate, Carbon Tetrachloride
- Heavy Metals
Reference
- Ufberg JW, Lex J. Abdominal calcifications on unenhanced CT scan due to gummy bear ingestion. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2005; 28(4): 469–470.
Question 4
Nitta et al in 2015 published a paper describing a pathology in a 24 year old after headbanging and presenting with a partial seizure. What injury did they find ?
Reveal the funtabulous answer
A subdural haematoma
The patient had no history of recent head trauma but performed headbanging at a punk rock concert 3 days before admission. [Reference]
- Nitta N et al. Recurrent subdural hematoma secondary to headbanging: A case report. Surg Neurol Int. 2015; 6(Suppl 18): S448–S450.
Question 5
What is Melkerson Syndrome?
Reveal the funtabulous answer
Rare familial neurological disorder characterized by recurrent facial paralysis, swelling of the face and lips (usually the upper lip), and the development of folds and furrows in the tongue.
Melkersson Syndrome or Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome
- 1901 Grigorii Ivanovich Rossolimo first made reference to the triad of symptoms in a woman suffering from migraine.
- 1928 Ernst Gustaf Melkersson reported an association between recurrent facial paralysis and angioneurotic oedema.
- 1930 Curt Rosenthal added lingua plicata (hypertrophy and fissuring of the tongue) to complete the triad of features.
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Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five
Dr Neil Long BMBS FACEM FRCEM FRCPC. Emergency Physician at Kelowna hospital, British Columbia. Loves the misery of alpine climbing and working in austere environments (namely tertiary trauma centres). Supporter of FOAMed, lifelong education and trying to find that elusive peak performance.