title: Disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma-a missed diagnosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kaposi's sarcoma is significantly prevalent among men infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, accounting for >90% of all cases. The early presentation of KS typically involves mucocutaneous lesions and lymphadenopathy, and more advanced disease can affect the lungs and other organs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to remind emergency physicians to remain suspicious of clinical presentations despite previous diagnoses or patient statements, particularly in patients with risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of a young man having skin lesions and respiratory problems remaining undiagnosed, despite, and possibly due to, multiple recent physician contacts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respiratory illnesses are common presentations in the emergency department and are typically benign and attributed to viral causes. However, the emergency physician must always be on the look out for more dangerous causes of respiratory complaints, especially in patients with risk factors and in those found to be refractory to recent treatment for more common illnesses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida.
authors.forename: Marc B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida.
authors.forename: Jalil
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thurber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: HIV-related infection; disseminated Kaposi's; missed diagnosis; pulmonary Kaposi's; respiratory infection