Vnitr Lek 2007, 53(2):169-178

Fever of unknown origin - etiology and diagnostic algorithm

A. Křivanová^1,*, Z. Adam¹, J. Mayer¹, P. Husa², Z. Fojtík¹, J. Skřičková³, Z. Řehák⁴, J. Vorlíček¹

¹ Interní hematoonkologická klinika Lékařské fakulty MU a FN Brno, pracoviště Bohunice, přednosta prof. MUDr. Jiří Vorlíček, CSc.

² Klinika infekčních chorob Lékařské fakulty MU a FN Brno, pracoviště Bohunice, přednosta prof. MUDr. Petr Husa, CSc.

³ Klinika nemocí plicních a tuberkulózy Lékařské fakulty MU a FN Brno, pracoviště Bohunice, přednostka doc. MUDr. Jana Skřičková, CSc.

⁴ Oddělení nukleární medicíny Masarykova onkologického ústavu Brno, přednosta prim. MUDr. Karol Bolčák

Fever of unknown origin is a frequent and significant diagnostic problem often faced by physicians. The first part of the text is dedicated to its definition and wide-ranging aetiology. On the one hand, fever may be a banal and benign condition, on the other, it can be the symptom of a life threatening disease. The second part presents our suggestions for diagnostic approach to fever of unknown origin. We believe this text may become a useful tool for this extremely complex and interesting differential diagnostic. In view of extension and complexity of the topic, the text of this part is presented in full.

Keywords: fever of unknown origin; etiology; diagnostic algorithm

Received: September 22, 2006; Accepted: November 29, 2006; Published: February 1, 2007  Show citation