Make the Dx: Solution to 'The coughing sailor'
Key Takeaways
Can you make the diagnosis? Click here to review the case and check your answer below.
Four differential diagnoses could be feasible: Malignancy, parasitic infection, Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and Loeffler's syndrome.
However, Loeffler’s syndrome is typically a transient, short-lived condition. Absence of a history of asthma or spirometry findings consistent with asthma make eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis syndrome unlikely.
A malignancy is possible based on the symptoms and laboratory findings of eosinophilia, but the patient's travel history while on active duty with the Navy make a parasitic infection more likely.
Anti-filarial antibodies should be tested in this patient to confirm the diagnosis.
Do you have an unusual case or a challenging diagnosis that could potentially stump your fellow MDLinx readers?
Tell us about your case study below, and your submission could be featured on our site!