Differential diagnosis is the systematic method by which diseases of similar presentation are distinguished by considering their various features. VINDICATE is mnemonic which helps to remember the various types of diseases to be considered in a differential diagnosis.
VINDICATE stands for
- V – Vascular
- I – Inflammatory
- N – Neoplastic
- D – Degenerative / Deficiency
- I – Idiopathic, Intoxication
- C – Congenital
- A – Autoimmune / Allergic
- T – Traumatic
- E – Endocrine
急性意識改變的真實病例、如何運用「解讀」口訣？？
Below is an example of how you could use the VINDICATE mnemonic to generate a thorough, systematic, and organized differential:
Vascular – stroke, TIA, subarachnoid hemorrhage
Infectious – meningitis, encephalitis, sepsis
Neoplastic – primary brain tumor or metastasis
Degenerative – Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, other dementias
Iatrogenic/intoxication – narcotics, alcohol intoxication or withdrawal
Congenital – epilepsy (post-ictal state)
Autoimmune – CNS lupus, neurosarcoidosis if you want to get fancy!
Traumatic – traumatic brain injury, traumatic epidural or subdural hematoma
Endocrine/metabolic – hypoglycemia, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, hypo- or hypernatremia, hypercalcemia, hepatic or uremic encephalopathy
參考來源：USMLE first aid Michael A. Spinner
https://firstaidteam.com/
相關連結：急性下肢無脈搏的檢查口訣
相關連結：急性下肢無脈搏的檢查口訣
