Pulmonary embolism differential diagnosis
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Resident Survival Guide |
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Pulmonary Embolism Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Pulmonary Embolism Assessment of Probability of Subsequent VTE and Risk Scores |
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Treatment |
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Follow-Up |
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Special Scenario |
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Pulmonary embolism differential diagnosis On the Web |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Pulmonary embolism differential diagnosis |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Pulmonary embolism differential diagnosis |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] The APEX Trial Investigators; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rim Halaby, M.D. [2]
Overview
Pulmonary embolism must be distinguished from other life-threatening causes of chest pain including acute myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, and pericardial tamponade, as well as a large list of non-life-threatening causes of chest discomfort and shortness of breath.
Differential Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis Based on Symptoms
Pulmonary embolism (PE) should be differentiated from other diseases presenting with chest pain, shortness of breath and tachypnea. The differentials include the following:
| Diseases | Diagnostic tests | Physical Examination | Symptoms | Past medical history | Other Findings | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CT scan and MRI | EKG | Chest X-ray | Tachypnea | Tachycardia | Fever | Chest Pain | Hemoptysis | Dyspnea on Exertion | Wheezing | Chest Tenderness | Nasalopharyngeal Ulceration | Carotid Bruit | ||
| Pulmonary Embolism |
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Identifies causative bacteria | Imaging and culture | ✔ | Flank or costovertebral angle | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | - | -
Life Threatening Differential DiagnosisCommon Differential Diagnosis in OutpatientsAmong outpatients presenting with dyspnea, <4 % are diagnosed with PE.[1] Common differential diagnoses include:[1] Complete List of Differential Diagnosis
References
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