differential diagnosis of acute exacerbation of COPD
Last reviewed 01/2018
The following conditions should be considered and excluded when making a diagnosis of an exacerbation in a COPD patient (1).
- pneumonia
- pneumothorax
- left ventricular failure/pulmonary oedema
- pulmonary embolus
- lung cancer
- upper airway obstruction
- pleural effusion
- recurrent aspiration
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