Fever of Unknown Origin: A Diagnostic Pitfall
Mustafa Altinkaynak1, Yavuz Burak Tor21Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye, 2Department of Internal Medicine, Memorial Bahcelievler Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
Objectives: The prevalence of the underlying disease in fever of unknown origin (FUO) has changed due to emerging laboratory and imaging methods. This study aims to present the recent etiological classification of FUO in Turkey. Methods: Physical examination, laboratory analysis, imaging methods and histopathology of the interventional proce dures were analyzed, and the diagnosis were reported in a total of 50 patients those admitted to Istanbul University, Istan bul Faculty of Medicine Hospital and Memorial Bahcelievler Research Hospital, between January 2023 and January 2024. Results: A total of 50 patients (mean age 54.7±19.6 years, 58% males) were included in the study. After detailed exami nation, infectious diseases were diagnosed in 30% of the patients, followed by non-infectious inflammatory diseases (NIID) in 28%, malignancies in 20%, other etiology in 6% and undiagnosed in 16% of the patients. Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 6 patients (40% of the infectious diseases). In NIID group (n=14), 5 patients had adult Still's disease, and in malignant diseases group (n=10), 8 patients had lymphoma. Subacute thyroiditis was diagnosed in 2 patients. Conclusion: Infectious diseases remain the primary cause of FUO, although the associated prevalence was decreased sig nificantly when compared to previous reports. The prevalence of NIID in FUO etiology was increased in the last decades. Keywords: Fever of unknown origin, inflammation, etiology
Cite This Article
Altinkaynak M, Tor Y. Fever of Unknown Origin: A Diagnostic Pitfall. EJMI. 2024; 8(1): 79-84
Corresponding Author: Mustafa Altinkaynak