Acute anterior shoulder dislocation is a common presentation to emergency departments. A standard technique for reduction does not exist. Most dislocations can be reduced by one or more simple manoeuvres involving traction-countertraction, leverage and/or pulsion. The better-known methods are discussed, highlighting the manoeuvres, virtues and drawbacks.

Psoas abscess is an uncommon clinical entity. It can be a primary infection with no obvious source of infection or a secondary infection from other sites, e.g. gastrointestinal tract or spinal pathology. The triads of presentation: fever, loin pain and limitation of hip movement may not be found in all patients. The correct diagnosis can be made with a vigilant clinical examination and appropriate investigation, for example ultrasonography. We present two cases of psoas abscess. One was a primary case and the other was secondary to carcinoma of caecum. Both of them presented with recent onset of back pain. Emergency physicians consider psoas abscess as one of the differential diagnosis for patient complaining of low back pain.

An elderly gentleman suddenly developed moderate to severe epigastric pain associated with hypotension and tachycardia. A supine abdominal X-ray was taken. Urgent CT abdomen performed after initial stabilisation revealed large amounts of free gas and fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Emergency Laparotomy revealed a perforated gastric ulcer. Review of the supine abdominal X-ray showed a number of radiological signs of pneumoperitoneum. As supine abdominal X-rays are commonly performed in emergency departments, doctors should be competent in interpreting the radiological signs.

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We report on a case of splenic rupture that presented eleven days after a trivial injury. Possible explanations of the delay in presentation and ways for early detection are discussed. Emergency physicians should always bear this entity in mind before discharging patients with left thoracoabdominal injury.