title: The evaluation of spells.
abstract: The differential diagnosis of spells is broad and includes both innocent and life-threatening conditions with a considerable overlap in clinical presentation. Extensive diagnostic testing is often performed, without reaching a final diagnosis, or resulting in false-positives. A thorough medical history, including family history and medication, and physical examination are required to obtain clues about the cause of a spell. An overview of spells with their stereotypic phenotype in general internal medicine practice is presented in this article. Besides, a diagnostic approach is proposed for the clinical evaluation of spells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Diakonessenhuis, Utrecht, the Netherlands. i.n.vanloon@gmail.com
authors.forename: I N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: van Loon
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lamberts
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Valk
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Muller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005483:Flushing / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008415:Mastocytosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D010507:Periodicity; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis