differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis is the process of distinguishing a disease or condition from others that share similar signs and symptoms. It's a crucial part of medical diagnosis, where healthcare professionals identify the most likely cause of a patient's complaints.12

The process involves gathering information from a patient's history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests to create a list of possible conditions, known as the differential diagnosis. This list is then ranked, with the most probable diagnosis placed first. Sometimes, a more life-threatening but less likely condition might be addressed first due to its potential severity. This systematic approach helps narrow down possibilities until a definitive diagnosis can be made, guiding appropriate treatment.32