Differential diagnosis (article structure)

Differential diagnosis is one of the main subheadings in a standard article. 

Location

The "Differential diagnosis" subheading is located after "History and etymology" and before "Practical points".

Structure

This section should be considered to be a radiological differential diagnosis unless explicitly stated otherwise. If the differential is for all modes of imaging it may be written as "general imaging differential considerations include". The differential may also be elaborated for a specific modality (e.g. for ultrasound, MRI, CT, etc.) where appropriate.

The differential diagnosis section is best structured as a bullet point list with a short description on how each differential condition differs from the main diagnosis. They should be bulleted in order of relevance/pertinence.

If there is a divergence between the imaging and clinical differential diagnoses then an additional separate Clinical differential diagnosis subheading may follow.

Example

• subdural hemorrhage