Gilbert Berdine MD, Jose Ramos MD
Images that demonstrate large and obvious abnormalities sometimes distract the provider from the careful review necessary to make the correct diagnosis. In situations in which the differential diagnosis has a leading diagnosis that is correct almost all time, it is easy to be misled by more obvious possibilities, failing to spend enough time to see the important details, and pursuing therapy that might not result in a good patient outcome. The purpose of this case report is to help readers from making analogous errors in future cases similar to this one.
Keywords: pleural effusion, endobronchial obstruction, lung cancer, complications, chest tube
Article citation: Berdine G, Ramos J. A case of mistaken identity. The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles 2023;11(49):31–34
From: Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
Submitted: 3/17/2023
Accepted: 9/16/2023
Conflicts of interest: none
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