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Pseudo-fever caused by predictive electronic thermometers: A case report.
Hiroki Maita1, Tadashi Kobayashi2, Takashi Akimoto2
1Development of Community Healthcare, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Aomori, Japan.
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports
|October 13, 2022
Summary
Electronic thermometers can provide inaccurate high readings, leading to a pseudo-fever diagnosis. Using a calibrated gallium thermometer confirmed the patient
Area of Science:
- Medical Diagnostics
- Thermometry Accuracy
- Patient Monitoring
Background:
- A 33-year-old male presented with persistent fever, dizziness, and headache.
- Previous investigations including MRI, CT, and blood tests were normal.
- Initial diagnosis included functional hyperthermia, cervical vertigo, and tension headache.
Observation:
- Patient experienced persistent fever and anxiety despite treatment for initial diagnoses.
- Discrepancies were noted between readings from various electronic thermometers.
- A gallium thermometer was used alongside electronic devices for comparison.
Findings:
- Electronic thermometer readings were significantly higher than actual body temperature.
- A diagnosis of pseudo-fever was made due to thermometer inaccuracies.
- The gallium thermometer provided accurate temperature readings, alleviating patient anxiety.
Implications:
- Highlights the potential for electronic thermometer malfunction in clinical settings.
- Emphasizes the importance of thermometer calibration and validation.
- Underscores the impact of accurate diagnostic tools on patient management and anxiety reduction.
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