Koorts van ongekende oorsprong: het systematisch ontrafelen van een diagnostisch kluwen

Fever of unknown origin: diagnostic approach by means of a case Fever of unknown origin presents a diagnostic challenge to every clinician. Over 200 causes are reported in the literature, often concerning uncommon presentations of well-known diseases. A diagnostic algorithm can provide the necessary guidance to approach this complex disease on a correct, efficient and cost-effective base. The working out starts with a correct definition: fever of unknown origin is a feverish illness with a duration of at least three weeks, hallmarked by fever higher than 38.3 °C on several occasions and with an uncertain cause after performing a set of minimal diagnostic exams. The further assessment comprises the exploration of „potential diagnostic hints”, performance of additional imaging studies (CT scan or FDG-PET/CT) and repeating the same basic investigations. Empirical therapy is reserved for patients with clinical deterioration. Overall mortality, however, is low.

Publication year:2017

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