Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42258883›Full record

ArticleThe western journal of emergency medicine2026

Clinical Insights and Case Analysis of Disorders Attributed to Cicadas in the Emergency Department.

Mary Heslin, Jonah Frueh, Madison Watts, Ahmad Abdulla, Alexandras Biskis, Sean M Fox, Elise Lovell, Ryan McKillip

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The western journal of emergency medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Mary HeslinAdvocate Health, Carolinas Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jonah FruehAdvocate Health, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Madison WattsAdvocate Health, Carolinas Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Ahmad AbdullaAdvocate Health, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Alexandras BiskisAurora Sinai Medical Center, Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Office of Research Analytics and Systems Computing, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Sean M FoxAdvocate Health, Carolinas Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Elise LovellAdvocate Health, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Ryan McKillipAdvocate Health, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIn 2024 the United States experienced a rare co-emergence of two periodical cicada broods (XIII and XIX), along with annual cicadas. Although not inherently dangerous, cicadas have been linked to allergic reactions and unintentional injuries. The public health impact of this extraordinary event is poorly understood. In this study we aimed to characterize emergency department (ED) and urgent care (UC) visits associated with the 2024 cicada emergence.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review across ED and UC sites in a large healthcare system in the Midwest and Southeast that coincides with the ranges of the periodical cicada broods, from April 1-July 31, 2024. Electronic health records were searched for "cicada" and common variants. Two emergency physicians in each region reviewed identified records. Data extracted included demographics, diagnoses, visit characteristics, diagnostics, treatments, and outcomes.

resultsOf 1,304,743 total visits, 68 mentioned "cicada" or a variant; 42 were confirmed as cicada related. Patient ages ranged from 7 weeks to 87 years of age (median 38 years). Trauma was the most common cicada-related presentation (33), followed by falls (21), blunt trauma (6), vehicular/bicycle accidents (3), and other mechanisms. Additional cases involved allergic reactions (3), environmental exposure (2), and neurologic symptoms (2). Imaging was common: 57% had radiographs and 43% computed tomography. Seven patients sustained fractures; one required laceration repair, and six were admitted.

conclusionWhile the overall health system impact was limited, cicada-related visits revealed important patterns of injury. Findings support the need for public education and preparedness during future mass insect events.

Indexed as

Emergency Service, HospitalHemipteraAccidentsAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAnimalsChildChild, PreschoolEmergency Room VisitsFemaleHumansHypersensitivityInfantMale

Identifiers

PMID42258883
PMCPMC13246175

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.