title: Surgical emergencies in the intravenous drug user.
abstract: Numerous surgical complications arise from parenteral drug use. Some complications have severe sequelae and most prove to be a diagnostic challenge. It is likely that these problems will remain a significant burden on the health care system as a result of continued widespread drug abuse. EPs must always maintain vigilance when evaluating medical complaints in the IVDU.
authors.affiliation: USC Keck School of Medicine, LAC+ USC Medical Center, 1200 North State Street, Room 1011, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. kcalder@usc.edu
authors.forename: Kirsten K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.forename: Fred A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Severyn
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000785:Aneurysm, Infected / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004630:Emergencies; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*