title: Fever of unknown origin: diagnostic principles.
abstract: Almost by definition, diagnostic evaluation of a patient with fever of unknown origin remains a challenging problem. Before turning to lengthy checklists and a battery of sophisticated invasive procedures, the physician should pursue all possibilities suggested by the patient's clinical and epidemiologic history. Four illustrative cases are presented to exemplify this logical approach.
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D000368:Aged; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000293:injuries; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology