Portal:Differential diagnoses

Differential Diagnoses and Presenting Complaints

DDx Checklists

Axial Skeleton	Neck Pain Thoracic Pain Low Back Pain Sacroiliac Pain Coccydynia
Upper Limbs	Sternoclavicular Joint Pain Shoulder Pain and Instability Elbow Pain Wrist Pain and Instability Neuropathic Arm Pain
Lower Limbs	Hip Pain Lateral Hip Pain Groin Pain Posterior Thigh Pain Buttock Pain Anterior Thigh Pain Knee Pain Calf Pain Ankle Pain Foot Pain Neuropathic Leg Pain
Other	Abdominal Wall Pain Chest Wall Pain Joint Hypermobility Vertigo Widespread Pain Anterior Throat Pain Arthritis Rheumatology Symptoms

The goal of these differential diagnosis checklists is to reduce the most common cause of missing a diagnosis, the failure to consider it in the first place. The diagnoses are listed in approximate order of decreasing prevalence (most common diseases at the top). This ordering is based on limited published data and the authors' experience. Unless otherwise specified, the checklists address complaints by adults rather than children. In the future the lists will indicate "must not miss" and "commonly missed" entries. See literature by John Ely and others for more information^[1]^[2]^[3]

Presenting Complaints

Select [►] to view subcategories

Using the presenting complaint as a starting point can be both a useful learning tool and an invaluable reference at the point of care.

Portals

Regions · Concepts · Procedures · DDX · Cases · EBQs · Links · Training

Note:Training portal is restricted to trainees and fellows.

References

↑ Ely JW, Graber ML, Croskerry P. Checklists to reduce diagnostic errors. Acad Med. 2011;86(3):307-313. doi:10.1097/ACM.0b013e31820824cd
↑ Shimizu T, Matsumoto K, Tokuda Y. Effects of the use of differential diagnosis checklist and general de-biasing checklist on diagnostic performance in comparison to intuitive diagnosis. Med Teach. 2013;35(6):e1218-e1229. doi:10.3109/0142159X.2012.742493
↑ Ely JW, Graber ML. Preventing Diagnostic Errors in Primary Care. Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(6):426-432.

[1] Ely JW, Graber ML, Croskerry P. Checklists to reduce diagnostic errors. Acad Med. 2011;86(3):307-313. doi:10.1097/ACM.0b013e31820824cd

[2] Shimizu T, Matsumoto K, Tokuda Y. Effects of the use of differential diagnosis checklist and general de-biasing checklist on diagnostic performance in comparison to intuitive diagnosis. Med Teach. 2013;35(6):e1218-e1229. doi:10.3109/0142159X.2012.742493

[3] Ely JW, Graber ML. Preventing Diagnostic Errors in Primary Care. Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(6):426-432.

[1]

[2]

[3]