Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care

This text offers students, residents, and practitioners a systematic approach to differential diagnosis of symptoms and signs seen by primary care physicians. The text is organized by symptoms and signs into categories—pain, mass, bloody discharge, non-bloody discharge, functional changes, and abnormal laboratory results. It shows readers how to use their basic science knowledge to identify the possible causes of each symptom, and describes the procedures and laboratory tests that need to be included in the workup. This edition includes fifty new signs and symptoms, case histories for approximately ninety common symptoms and signs, and updated information on current diagnostic procedures.

Table Of Contents

A Abdominal Mass Abdominal Mass, Generalized Right Upper Quadrant Mass

B Back Mass Skin Subcutaneous tissue and fascia

C Cardiac Arrhythmias Cardiomegaly Cervical Bruit

D Dandruff Decreased Respirations, Apnea, and Cheyne-Stokes Breathing Delayed Puberty

E Earache Edema of the Extremities Elbow Pain

F Face Mass Facial Pain Facial Paralysis

G Gait Disturbances Gangrene Gigantism

H Halitosis and Other Breath Odors Hallucinations Hand and Finger Pain

I Impotence Incontinence, Urinary Incontinence, Fecal

J Jaundice Jaw Pain Jaw Swelling

K Knee Pain Knee Swelling Kyphosis

L Leg Pain Leukocytosis Leukopenia

M Memory Loss and Dementia Menstrual Cramps Meteorism

N Nail Changes Nasal Discharge Nasal Mass or Swelling

O Obesity Oral or Lingual Mass Orbital Discharge

P Pallor of the Face, Nails, or Conjunctiva Palpitations Papilledema

R Rash, General Rectal Bleeding Rectal Discharge

S Scalp Tenderness Scoliosis Sensory Loss

T Tachycardia Taste Abnormalities Testicular Atrophy

U Unequal Pulses Uremia Urethral Discharge

V Vaginal Bleeding Vaginal Discharge Visible Peristalsis

W Walking Difficulties Weakness and Fatigue, Generalized Weight Loss

1. Appendix A The Laboratory Workup of Disease
2. Appendix B Answers to Questions from Case Presentations