An error of self-diagnosis--but what was the real diagnosis?
The availability of information on the internet encourages people to explore their own diagnosis. Although more knowledge is usually a good thing, self-diagnosis in this way may not always be correct, and it can even adversely influence the medical diagnosis, as in this patient, where the underlying disorder is still uncertain. The patient illustrates the confusion and difficulty in categorising an usual clinical syndrome.
de Carvalho
Mamede
M
Neurology Department, Santa Maria Hospital, Avenue Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon, Portugal. mamedemg@mail.telepac.pt
Swash
Michael
M
D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*