Seminars in respiratory infections
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Semin Respir Infect · Jun 1996
ReviewDifferential diagnosis of fever and pulmonary densities in mechanically ventilated patients.
Sepsis continues to represent a major threat to the recovery of mechanically ventilated patients and a serious challenge to physicians in charge of their care. Diagnosis of pneumonia is made difficult by numerous infectious and noninfectious conditions that may present in a clinically similar fashion. ⋯ A thorough understanding of the various causes of fever and pulmonary densities, other than pneumonia, is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. This understanding then allows a systematic approach to diagnosis using the most appropriate tests.