[Masks of acute pneumonia at an emergency care unit]

Clinical studies in an acute medical unit were aimed at the analysis of the onset and clinical appearance of masked acute pneumonia. Such acute pneumonia masks as pulmonary edema, paroxysmal tachycardia, infective toxic shock, acute surgical conditions, hepatitis, pneumothorax considerably complicate the diagnosis of the underlying disease. However, some manifestations typical for acute pneumonia are recognizable. These, in combination with the above misleading symptoms, can be managed properly only provided close comprehensive examination of the patients is carried out.