Misdiagnosis of Pruritus
Pruritus: Related Misdiagnoses
Undiagnosed stroke leads to misdiagnosed aphasia: BBC News UK reported on a man who
had been institutionalized and treated for mental illness
because he suffered from sudden inability to speak.
This was initially misdiagnosed as a "nervous breakdown" and other mental conditions.
He was later diagnosed as having had a stroke, and suffering from aphasia (inability to speak),
a well-known complication of stroke (or other brain conditions).
Dementia may be a drug interaction: A common scenario in aged care is for
a patient to show mental decline to dementia.
Whereas this can, of course, occur due to various medical conditions,
such as a stroke or Alzheimer's disease,
it can also occur from a side effect or interaction between multiple drugs
that the elderly patient may be taking.
There are also various other possible causes of dementia.
Mild traumatic brain injury often remains undiagnosed: Although the symptoms
of severe brain injury are hard to miss,
it is less clear for milder injuries, or even those causing a mild concussion diagnosis.
The condition goes by the name of "mild traumatic brain injury" (MTBI).
MTBI symptoms can be mild, and can continue for days or weeks after the injury.
See the symptoms of MTBI or misdiagnosis of MTBI.
MTBI misdiagnosed as balance problem: When a person has symptoms
such as vertigo or dizziness, a diagnosis of brain injury may go overlooked.
This is particularly true of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), for which the
symptoms are typically mild. The symptoms has also relate to a relatively
mild brain injury (e.g. fall), that could have occurred days or even weeks ago.
Vestibular dysfunction, causing vertigo-like symptoms, is a common complication
of mild brain injury.
See causes of dizziness, causes of vertigo, or misdiagnosis of MTBI.
Psoriasis often undiagnosed cause of skin symptoms in children: Children who suffer
from the skin disorder called psoriasis can often go undiagnosed.
The main problem is that psoriasis is rare in children, and not often
seen by physicians for this reason.
children may receive treatment for fungal skin infections.
See misdiagnosis of psoriasis or symptoms of psoriasis.
Brain pressure condition often misdiagnosed as dementia: A condition
that results from an excessive pressure of CSF within the brain is often misdiagnosed.
It may be misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease or dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease).
The condition is called "Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus" (NPH) and is caused by having
too much CSF, i.e. too much "fluid on the brain".
One study suggested that 1 in 20 diagnoses of dementia or Parkinson's disease were actually NPH.
See misdiagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or misdiagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
Post-concussive brain injury often misdiagnosed: A study found that soldiers who had
suffered a concussive injury in battle often were misdiagnosed on their return.
A variety of symptoms can occur in post-concussion syndrome and these were not being correctly
attributed to their concussion injury.
See introduction to concussion.
Children with migraine often misdiagnosed: A migraine often fails to be
correctly diagnosed in pediatric patients.
These patients are not the typical migraine sufferers, but migraines can also occur in children.
See misdiagnosis of migraine or introduction to migraine.
Vitamin B12 deficiency under-diagnosed: The condition of Vitamin B12 deficiency
is a possible misdiagnosis of various conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (see symptoms of multiple sclerosis).
See symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency or misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Genital lichen planus uncommon: Genital lichen planus is relatively uncommon but can affect
both the vagina vulva. The lesions appear as white reticulated papules and
plaques and erosions may occur. Patient may complain of itching, vaginal
bleeding, dyspareunia and postcoital bleeding. A biopsy is needed to make a
diagnosis. It maybe misdiagnosed as lichen sclerosis, pemphigus vulgaris,
bullous and cicatricial pemphigoid and erythema multiforme. Topical steroids
provide symptomatic relief.
Pruritus subjective symptom: Pruritus is one of the most important dermatological
symptoms and is usually a symptom of primary skin disease. Since it is a
subjective disease diagnostic difficulties arise especially when pruritus is a
presenting symptom of a systemic disease with or without a rash. Pruritus may
occur in a localised form or generalised form. Localised itching is caused
mostly by atopic dermatitis. Some other conditions to be kept in mind in order
not to misdiagnose a case of pruritus include urticaria, scabies, dermatitis
herpetiformis, pediculosis, chicken pox and lichen planus. The basic principle
of treatment is to determine the cause of the itch and treat it accordingly.
Varied forms of scabies: Scabies is a highly contagious, pruritic dermatosis caused by infestation
with the Sarcoptes scabei mite. Scabies can present in many different forms and
lead to misdiagnosis. Some of the conditions that it can be misdiagnosed as
include atopic dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis and other insect
infestations. Burrows which are typical for scabies though not seen in cases of
atopic dermatitis the linear arrangement of the lesions can lead to confusion..
Many causes of nipple discharge: Nipple
discharge can be quite frightening and discomforting to the patient. There are
a variety of causes responsible for abnormal nipple discharge and hence that
can cause misdiagnosis. If the discharge occurs from the surface of the nipple
it may be due to conditions like Paget's diseases, psoriasis and eczema.
Discharge through the nipple if blood stained maybe due to Duct ectasia, Intraductal papilloma and
Intraductal carcinoma
If purulent it can be due to infectious abscess
if serous (watery in consistency) due to Fibrocystic disease, Duct ectasia and Carcinoma
All the above conditions must be ruled
out in ordered to come to the apt diagnosis and prevent misdiagnosis.
Pruritus: Possibly Deadly Misdiagnoses
Some of the causes, which may potentially be dangerous or fatal
if left undiagnosed, may include:
More about Misdiagnosis
» Next page: PRURITUS ANI (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
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