Differential Diagnosis Mnemonics

Book excerpt: This entertaining and highly useful book presents hundreds of easy-to-remember mnemonics as a means of learning and then recalling the differential diagnosis possibilities for a wide range of medical conditions. The text is organized by body system, and each set of mnemonics is accompanied by notes for fine tuning the diagnostic process. The mnemonics included range in length from short to very long depending on the clinical entity. Sometimes more than one has been added for brevity or organizational reasons. Mnemonics presented provide simple frameworks on which to construct differential diagnoses. Mnemonics included are concise, pertinent words or phrases constructed to reflect the pathogenesis of the problem. Others are simple words that help in remembering a list of possibilities. An explanatory section is included with each mnemonic to review pathogenesis or provide helpful information. Enhances the readers thoroughness in making evaluations so that diagnoses are not missed. Serves as a handy reference for making diagnoses when particular problems arise.