Diagnostic Hypothesis Research Articles

WELLENS SYNDROME OR PNEUMONIA?

Abstract Background Wellens syndrome, also known as "left anterior descending coronary syndrome," is characterized by the appearance of T–wave changes recorded on the ECG and it is an ECG manifestation of critical proximal left anterior descending artery stenosis. Case Report A 65–year–old man from Bangladesh with a history of chronic ischemic heart disease and trivessel coronary artery disease following surgical revascularization (CABG 2007). Recent admission for NSTEMI (June 2022) with unchanged coronary angiography compared to the previous one. Comorbidities include peripheral arterial disease, type II diabetes with organ damage, and COPD with recent exacerbations. Last myocardial scintigraphy (2021) was positive for inducible myocardial ischemia in the posterolateral region. Admission due to fever, productive cough, and severe chest pain. Initial instrumental assessments revealed ST–segment alterations in inferior leads and V1–V2 with negative/isodiphasic T–waves, not present in previous ECG tracings. A slight troponin elevation with ischemic curve (101 → 303 → 277 → 155 pg/dl, normal range < 50 pg/dl) led to the diagnosis of NSTEMI. Echocardiogram showed concentric remodeling of the left ventricle with normal global systolic function and hypokinesia of the mid–basal inferior wall (noted). Additionally, chest CT revealed pulmonary consolidations in the right middle lobe and upper left lobe, prompting antibiotic therapy and bronchodilator inhalation. Arterial blood gas analysis: pH 7.45, pO2 83, Lactate 0.8, HCO3– 24, P/F 360. Coronary angiography showed an unchanged picture compared to the previous one (patent AMIS and AMID, good run–off in native branches, no distal stenosis at the anastomosis). Clinical symptoms, inflammatory indices, and myocardial damage markers clinically improved during hospitalization. Discharged after optimization of anti–ischemic therapy with DAPT and diagnosis of NSTEMI. However, ECG abnormalities persisted at discharge (negative T–waves in DI–aVL–V1–V2). Post–discharge cardiac MRI was requested. Conclusions Diagnostic hypotheses include, primarily, a possible type II myocardial infarction due to an ongoing pneumonia (although hypoxia/hypovolemia/hypotension sufficient to cause MI was never documented during hospitalization), MINOCA, or microcirculatory disease (functional tests such as iFR/FFR, ACh, IMR were not performed during coronary angiography), or a possible myocarditic outcome (pending MRI).

Chronic secondary orofacial pain as the first symptom of chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis in the mandible: a case report and literature review

Chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis clinically manifests with pain, swelling and limitation of movement. When it affects the jaws, it can cause pain, similar to other orofacial conditions, requiring a correct differential diagnosis. The objective of this study was to report a clinical case of chronic secondary orofacial pain as the first manifestation of an inflammatory bone disease located in the mandible, in addition to discussing the diagnostic hypotheses, the pathophysiological aspects and the therapy. A 21-year-old male patient came to the service complaining of pain in the mandible, preauricular and temporal regions bilaterally with one year of evolution, associated with anterior open bite and psychological impairment. So, it was chronic orofacial pain secondary to non-bacterial osteomyelitis with a high rate of bone remodeling. Elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines can lead to an increased power cycle of nociceptive signaling, chronic inflammation, and bone loss. Pro-inflammatory cytokines that originate in neuronal and glial cells can trigger effects such as chronic hyperexcitability, changes in the phenotypic expression of nociceptors and abnormal processing of noxious signals. The patient is still undergoing treatment and without pain. Careful assessment, ordering tests and multidisciplinary investigation are essential in the care of patients with chronic and complex orofacial pain.

A Rare Case of Clival Hemangioma Simulating Chordoma

AbstractPrimary intraosseous hemangiomas are rare, benign, vascular malformations that account for ∼1% of all primary bone neoplasias. A 59-year-old female patient with unknown comorbidities had a history of headache, visual impairment and dizziness that led to the diagnosis of a clivus tumor. Two resections were attempted through transcranial and transnasal transsphenoidal approach in the last two years in another hospital. The initial MRI scan showed an expansive lesion with T2 hyperintense signal and diffuse, heterogenic contrast enhancement. Clival chordoma was the main diagnostic hypothesis done. A CT scan was performed to evaluate the extent of clival invasion, the sinus anatomy, and the clival destruction - all simulating clival chordoma. The interdisciplinary tumor board decided to proceed with endoscopic endonasal tumor resection. There were no postoperative complications and the histopathological analysis revealed a primary intraosseous haemangioma. Skull base intraosseous hemangiomas are rare entities, with a limited number of case reports found after literature reviews, especially in the clival region. The clinical pattern and imaging characteristics can vary widely according to the tumor extension and development, simulating some other common tumors found at this topography. We present a case report of a clival intraosseous hemangioma presenting as an isolated abducens paresis with a positive outcome after intranasal endoscopic resection after two years of follow-up.

Oral lesions of systemic lupus erythematosus: A collaborative Latin American study.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease that may affect the oral mucosa. The variable spectrum of oral lesions observed in SLE can pose challenges in diagnosis, particularly when the lesions occur in isolation. The aim of this study was to describe the oral lesions occurring in patients with SLE from Latin America. This collaborative record-based study involving 11 oral and maxillofacial pathology and medicine services across Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Mexico describes the clinicopathological profile of SLE-related oral lesions. Seventy patients with SLE and oral lesions were included in the study. The majority were females (75.7%; female/male ratio: 3.1:1) and white (62.1%), with a mean age of 38.4 years (range: 11-77 years). The most common site of oral lesions was the hard/soft palate (32.0%). Clinically, oral lesions predominantly presented as ulcers (26.6%), erosions (26.6%), and white lesions (23.4%). Isolated oral lesions occurred in 65.2% of individuals, while cutaneous manifestations occurred in 80.3%. The main clinical diagnostic hypothesis in 71.4% of cases was an immune-mediated disease. Oral biopsies followed by histopathological analysis were performed in 50 cases. Oral lesions of SLE exhibit a variety of clinical and histopathological features. A key point in diagnosis is that unusual oral changes without an obvious local cause may indicate a possible systemic condition presenting with oral lesions. A multidisciplinary approach, which includes regular oral examination, is warranted to identify oral lesions and provide treatment.

Investigation of lipodystrophy in a 3-year-old and 6-month-old child: A case report

This report delineates the case of a 3-year-old and 6-month-old child exhibiting noteworthy weight loss post-vaccination, succeeded by modest adipose tissue gain and subsequent phenotype deterioration following a viral episode. Additionally, the patient presents phlebomegaly, muscular hypertrophy, and irritability linked to hyperphagia. Despite extensive investigation encompassing celiac disease exclusion, the prevailing diagnostic hypothesis is acquired generalized lipodystrophy.

Ocular metastases profile in a tertiary hospital in São Paulo, Brazil

ObjectiveOcular metastases are the most common intraocular tumours in adults. Data regarding the occurrence of these tumours in the Brazilian population is scarce. We aimed to investigate the profile of ocular metastases of patients referred to tertiary hospital service in São Paulo, Brazil.DesignRetrospective study.ParticipantsPatients referred to the Ocular Oncology service of the Federal University of São Paulo with initial diagnostic hypothesis of ocular metastasis.MethodsData was retrospectively collected from medical records from June 2017 to June 2023. Age, sex, primary tumour site, previous knowledge of the systemic diagnosis, laterality, initial visual acuity (VA), local or systemic treatment and mean follow-up period were obtained.ResultsA total of 37 cases were referred to the ocular oncology division due to a suspected ocular metastasis, 15 (40.5%) were confirmed. Mean age at diagnosis was 53.47 ± 16.01 years old, the majority (86.7%) of patients already knew the systemic diagnosis. Breast cancer (66.7%) was the most common primary site, followed by Lung cancer (26.7%). Both eyes were affected in 66.67% of the cases, all patients had metastases at the choroid (100.0%), and the mean initial VA was 1.37 ± 1.04 logMAR. Chemotherapy was the main systemic treatment modality (73.3%), and most patients had no ocular treatment (53.3%). The mortality rate along the follow-up period was 30.0%.ConclusionsConsidering the number of new patients absorbed by the Ocular Oncology service over the study period, the frequency of ocular metastases was relatively low. The patients’ characteristics was comparable to data published in the international literature.

Identification, Cause and Surgical Management of Traumatic Fibroma in the Jugal Mucosa: A Case Report

Aims: the objective of the present study is to report a clinical case aimed at the diagnosis and treatment of a traumatic fibroma located in the region of the unilateral buccal mucosa based on clinical and histopathological examination.
 Case Report: A 43-year-old male patient, melanoderma, attended the Nilton Lins University dental clinic reporting the existence of a large nodule in the cheek region. Based on the clinical appearance of the lesion, the diagnostic hypothesis of traumatic fibroma was established; therefore, the surgical excision of the lesion was determined for subsequent referral to confirm the hypothesis. The removed content was transferred to a container containing a 10% formaldehyde solution and sent to the Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine of the Federal University of Amazonas for histopathological analysis, which disclosed benign epithelial thickening with parakeratosis and underlying connective tissue hyperplasia. Given the characteristics presented in the analyzed histological picture, the definitive diagnosis was reactive fibroepithelial hyperplasia.
 Conclusion: Establishing a preliminary diagnosis of the lesion was essential for planning the surgical procedure. The use of the conventional technique for the removal of the reactive fibroepithelial hyperplasia obtained satisfactory results, both for the postoperative recovery and for the infeasibility of recurrence, thus providing satisfactory comfort to the patient.

Nieuwe aanbevelingen voor de behandeling van acute otitis media in de eerste lijn

New recommendations for the management of acute otitis media in primary care This article is a summary of the recent clinical guideline update of acute otitis media with recommendations for its diagnosis, treatment and prevention, including complicated acute otitis media or acute otitis media at risk of complications in children and adults in general practice. The clinical practice guideline came about with the participation of all relevant disciplines and according to an internationally recognized methodology for guideline development (Adapte procedure). The elements of the medical history and clinical examination have limited diagnostic value. Moreover, symptoms alone are not enough to make the diagnosis of acute otitis media. The diagnostic hypothesis is based on the combination of these elements. The doctor pays attention to the patient’s experience and provides the necessary information to enable the patient to manage his/her disease properly (e.g. pain management). Shared decision-making is a key point. Antibiotics are justified in case of an unfavorable disease course and in the presence of major risk factors for complications. However, certain subgroups may benefit from antibiotic therapy. Effective pain or fever treatment (with paracetamol or ibuprofen) has become the cornerstone of acute otitis media management. More targeted antibiotic therapy is reserved for specific indications.

Depression, Ulcers and Confusion – A Clinical Case of Behçet’s Disease with Psychiatric Presentation

IntroductionBehçet’s disease, a rare autoimmune disorder, can present a challenging diagnostic puzzle, particularly when neuropsychiatric symptoms take the forefront. In this case study, we delve into the diagnostic process of a 43-year-old patient without prior psychiatric history, who initially presented with depressive and catatonic symptoms. The trajectory from psychiatric admission to a final diagnosis of Behçet’s disease with neuropsychiatric involvement underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the consideration of rare diseases in psychiatric assessment. Clinical remission was achieved with immunosuppressive therapy.ObjectivesPresentation of a clinical case of Behçet’s disease with neuropsychiatric manifestations.MethodsReview of the patient’s clinical data in SOARIAN platform and research on UptoDate and Pubmed using the terms “Catatonia,” “Behçet disease,” “Neuro-Behçet,” and “Psychiatry.”ResultsWe present a clinical case of a 43-year-old patient, originally from India, not fluent in Portuguese or English, with no prior psychiatric history, who presented to the emergency department exhibiting mutism and was admitted to the psychiatry department with the diagnostic hypothesis of depressive episode with psychotic and catatonic symptoms. During hospitalization, severe vitamin deficiencies, gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, abdominal pain, and hematochezia), and gynecological symptoms (dyspareunia and vaginal discharge) were observed. From a psychiatric perspective, in addition to depressive and psychotic symptoms, atypical symptomatology incongruent with the initial diagnosis was identified, raising suspicion of an “organic” disease. There was an atypical fluctuation in symptoms, with periods of severe behavioral disorganization interspersed with periods of apathy and psychomotor retardation, significant alterations in attention and memory, and executive deficits. Additionally, there was a poor response to psychiatric medication and electroconvulsive therapy. A colonoscopy revealed ulcers at the ileocecal valve, and gynecological lesions suggestive of a vasculitic process were observed. Autoimmunity testing showed positivity for HLA B51/52. Given the neuropsychiatric, gastrointestinal, and gynecological manifestations, along with suggestive autoimmunity, the diagnosis of Behçet’s Disease with neurological involvement was established. Clinical remission was achieved only with immunosuppressive therapy. The case is enriched by the complex diagnostic journey, multiple complications encountered (including valproic acid-induced encephalopathy), and the challenges faced in treating neuropsychiatric manifestations.ConclusionsThis clinical case exemplifies the challenges in diagnosing a systemic disease with primary psychiatric presentation, as well as the therapeutic success resulting from multidisciplinary collaboration in a public hospital.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Late Onset Bipolar Disorder (LOBD): a case report

Introduction Bipolar disorder (BD) in the elderly patient may present as the evolution of illness initiated earlier in life or as a new-onset entity. Therefore, two groups of patients are distinguished: “late onset” (LOBD) when the first mania occurs in old age and “early onset” in elderly patients with long-standing history. BD in elderly patients (≥60 years) constitutes 25% of all BD cases. Specific aspects of older age bipolar disorder (OABD) are somatic and psychiatric comorbidity, impaired cognition and age-related psychosocial functioning. The management of BD in the elderly is complex given the high sensitivity of these patients to pharmacological side effects, particularly of psychotropic drugs.ObjectivesThe case of a patient with LOBD is presented, followed by a theoretical review of the subject.MethodsA case is presented with a bibliographic review.Results A 76-year-old woman who had no prior history of mental health issues until March 2023 when she was initially admitted to a geriatric hospitalization unit for manifesting manic symptoms. She was readmitted in July 2023 due to worsening depressive symptoms that included a declining mood, passive thoughts of death, deterioration in self-care, weight loss, insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth despite recent changes in her medications. She was on treatment with escitalopram (which was gradually discontinued and replaced with mirtazapine), quetiapine, lormetazepam, and lorazepam. Imaging tests showed chronic ischemic lesions in her brain and a small meningioma, the rest of the test were normal.The initial diagnostic hypothesis was a bipolar depressive episode, and her treatment was adjusted accordingly. She was started on lithium, and her quetiapine dosage was increased, along with the anxiolytic lorazepam. Due to the persistence of depressive symptoms, including low mood, anhedonia, apathy, and negative thoughts, she was also prescribed antidepressant medication (venlafaxine and mirtazapine). Her condition gradually improved, with better eating and sleep patterns, increased participation in activities, and reduced somatic complaints and anxiety.As she continued to experience somnolence and decreased morning energy, her antipsychotic medication was switched from quetiapine to lurasidone. The dose of lithium was decreased due to tremors in her extremities, although they remained within the therapeutic range. Despite these adjustments, her mood significantly improved, and she showed no signs of worsening or psychotic symptoms, leading to her discharge.ConclusionsSummarizing different studies, LOBD who develop mania for the first time at an advanced age (≥ 50 years) constitute 5-10% of all BD. It is important to perform a thorough differential diagnosis, as an organic substrate and diverse etiologies may be present. Current guidelines recommend that first-line treatment of OABD should be similar to that of BD in young patients, with careful use of psychotropic drugs.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Psychological–forensic expert assessment of complex post traumatic stress disorder in victims of gender-based violence

Given the inclusion of the Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), this article analyses the C-PTSD as a possible new diagnosis in women victims of gender-based violence to explain a wide range of symptoms resulting from interpersonal, persistent, continuous, severe, and uncontrollable traumas that may occur in this context. Thus, it describes the psychological impact and the psychopathological consequences it produces on the victims, which are most serious when the violence suffered has occurred repeatedly and over time. In addition, it delves into the differential diagnosis of C-PTSD with other psychopathologies. Finally, a protocol for forensic psychological assessment is proposed based on C-PTSD as a clinical disorder, which explains the serious psychological impact on the evaluation of women victims of gender-based violence, considering this disorder as an alternative diagnostic hypothesis in the forensic psychological assessment of the psychological injury.

Schwannoma of Facial Region: A Pathology Often Missed in the Initial Diagnostic Hypothesis: A Case Report

Schwannoma, also known as neurilemmoma, is a benign tumor originating from Schwann cells and may involve any nerve in the body but its most common occurrence is in the head and neck region. When it involves a nerve of face, it is often confused with dermoid cyst. We present the case of a 23-year-old male patient with Schwannoma arising from the area just below the lateral canthus of the left eye where the initial diagnostic hypothesis was dermoid cyst but later confirmed as Schwannoma on histopathological analysis.

Core and cluster or head to toe?: a comparison of two types of curricula for teaching physical examination skills to preclinical medical students

BackgroundDespite the central importance of physical examination (PE) skills to patient evaluation, early trainees struggle with its correct application and interpretation. This struggle may reflect the instructional strategies of PE courses which have largely ignored the clinical reasoning necessary to accurately apply these skills. The “core + cluster” (C + C) is a recent approach to teaching PE to clerkship-level medical students that combines a basic ‘core’ exam with ‘cluster’ based on the student’s hypothesis about their patient’s clinical presentation. Our institution developed a novel C + C curriculum to teach PE to preclinical students. We aimed to assess the impact of this new curriculum on students’ clinical skills and course evaluations in comparison to the traditional “head-to-toe” approach we’d used previously.MethodsThis was a retrospective study comparing two consecutive medical school cohorts exposed to the new (C + C) and prior (HTT) curricula respectively. We studied two complete cohorts of first-year medical students at our institution who matriculated in 2014 and 2015. The 2014 cohort received PE training via an HTT approach. The 2015 cohort received PE training via a C + C approach. Outcomes included performance scores on a statewide clinical performance exam (CPX) and student course evaluations.ResultsWe found no statistically significant difference in mean CPX scores between the two cohorts. However, student course ratings were significantly higher in the C + C cohort and students rated the C + C format as highly useful in clinical encounters.ConclusionsThe C + C curriculum appears to be as effective a method of teaching PE to preclinical students as the HTT approach and is better received by students. We believe that this approach more appropriately reflects the way PE is used in clinical encounters and may help students with diagnostic hypothesis generation.

Un ostinato torcicollo

The paper reports the case of a 13-month-old girl evaluated in the Emergency Room for a history of acute torticollis. There was no history of trauma, fever, or any other additional symptom. The X-ray of the cervical spine was standard and the neck ultrasound showed some little bilateral cervical lymph nodes. Therefore, a MRI was performed. Different diagnostic hypotheses and treatment options are discussed

Prevalence of oral papillomas in Brazilian children: a retrospectivestudy of biopsied lesions

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an etiologic factor for several diseases of the oralmucosa and skin that can undergo a malignant process. Vaccination is the most important form of prevention, with girls being vaccinated between the ages of 9 and 13 and boys between the ages of 11 and 13. There is still no consensus on the prevalence of the HPV virus in children. Aim: To review the prevalence of HPV in children aged 1 to 13 years based on a database of reports of biopsied lesions diagnosed with papilloma analyzed in a national reference laboratory. Material and methods: Anatomic-pathologic reports of biopsies received at the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory of the Faculty of Dentistry of the College of São Paulo were analyzed over a 20-year period, between 2002 and 2022. Information on gender, lesion location and diagnostic hypotheses was also collected. Results: In a database of 93,950 reports, the age group analyzed accounted for 4,203 and 99 (2.3%) were diagnosed with papilloma. The proportion of male and female reports was similar at 50.5% and 49.5% respectively. The most common location of the lesion found was the lip region (48%). The most frequently cited diagnostic hypotheses were epulis and verruca vulgaris. Conclusion: The prevalence of papillomas in Brazilian children aged 1 to 13 years was 2.3%. Early diagnosis and advice on HPV vaccination can prevent and avoid exacerbation of the disease. Recognizing the clinical features of lesions is essential for correct diagnosis and early intervention and counseling.

Holistically bridging the gap between education and healthcare: A case study model of assessment

AbstractIn today's special educational needs and disability system, children spend an incomprehensible amount of time on waiting lists to see specialists, and teachers and parents spend an inordinate amount of time trying to target support when a child's needs are unidentified and unclear. This case study looks at the current pathway to support for children with neurodiversities in UK mainstream schools, considering in detail the role of the professionals around the child, in particular the SENCo. In this case study, three children are discussed; in these cases, an additional layer of assessment was included in the referral system, using Frith's causal modelling. This resulted in a more accurate and timely diagnosis of neurodiversities, whether singular or co‐occurring, in each case. The additional assessment level was undertaken by a developmental psychologist (DP) who acted as a catalyst for the assessment process and an advisor to target intervention. Following a holistic assessment by the DP, one child was diagnosed with autism on the NHS within three months of the assessment, one child was diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder on the NHS within six months of the assessment, and one child had a dual diagnosis of dyslexia and dyspraxia. Moreover, importantly, only one child's outcomes matched the SENCo's initial diagnostic hypothesis. Two possible, and probably controversial, assessment models are proposed, that take the guesswork out of the referral process for the SENCo, saving time and money across all sectors, while considering a child's needs holistically and wholly.

Concordancia y calidad de las historias clínicas en los alumnos de Medicina: ¿reflejan la realidad de la consulta?

IntroductionWriting medical histories (MH) is a basic competence in the physician's training. It is the cornerstone for constructing diagnostic hypotheses and guaranteeing adequate, safe and effective care. In addition, MH has legal, epidemiological and quality of care implications. The aim of this study was to determine the concordance between the information collected from the patient in the consultation room and that recorded in the MH by medical students. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional descriptive observational study on a consultation with simulated patients and the subsequently written MH. A total of 112 5th-year medical students participated. The evaluators checked 59 items of anamnesis, anamnesis by organs and apparatus, physical examination and clinical judgment in the MH, contrasting them with the video recordings of the consultations, and classifying the concordance between both. ResultsFinal population was 109 students (97.3%). The competency area with the highest concordance was clinical judgment (94.1%). All items exceeded 65% agreement. More than 20% of the students had not recorded some items in their MH, although they had collected them in the consultation. Anamnesis by organs and apparatus was the competency area with the most omitted or incorrect items. The only item that no student forgot to collect and record was “personal history of dyslipidemia”. Physical examination was the area where most students recorded findings in the MH without having made them in the interview. ConclusionThe study demonstrates high concordance in the MH with the information collected in the consultation and shows aspects that will allow us to improve the medical semiology training of students.

Main Disorders of Gastrointestinal Tract in Older People: An Overview

From a physiological standpoint, aging is a progressive reduction in each organ system’s capacity to maintain homeostasis in the face of illness or stressors. With advancing age, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and signs may increase, not only due to the aging processes but also to the superimposed effects of comorbidities, which can badly affect digestive functions (i.e., diabetes, malignancy, etc.) and environmental exposure. In general, gastrointestinal symptoms in older people more often underlie organic pathologies, while GI functional disorders are less frequently diagnosed in this age group. Moreover, gastrointestinal disease can also present in a nuanced and atypical manner, making the diagnostic hypothesis and, consequently, the correct diagnosis and therapy more challenging. In addition, with reference to this age group, the clinical implications of gastrointestinal pathologies can be more severe due to a decreased physiologic reserve, with a higher risk for malnutrition resulting in falls, depression, social isolation, and a deterioration of functional status. In this review, we focused on the most frequent GI tract disorders, highlighting the main age-related changes, their epidemiological, pathophysiological and clinical implications, and any differences with younger patients.

FRAMED: a framework facilitating insight problem solving.

Insight has been studied as an element of problem solving in the field of cognitive psychology and may play an important role in clinical reasoning. We propose a new strategy based on theories that promote insight that may help generate further diagnostic hypotheses by reviewing the interpretation of a case and an individual's list of differential diagnoses from multiple perspectives: formation (F), re-encoding (R), analogy (A), modification (M), elaboration (E), and deliberation (D) (FRAMED). The FRAMED strategy may help clinicians overcome misinterpretations and cognitive bias by systematically reflecting on previous clinical reasoning processes from multiple perspectives.

An examination of auditor hypothesis testing strategies in ‘tone at the top’ evaluations: Evidence of diagnostic knowledge structures

This study examines the tests auditors design to assess a client's ‘tone at the top’. By exploiting conceptual differences in the constructs of ethicality and competence, the study investigates auditor knowledge structures by disentangling auditor hypothesis testing strategies. The results of an experiment document that auditors design tests to yield evidence of unethical and competent, rather than ethical and incompetent, client management behaviour. This overall pattern of results, and in particular auditors' focus on seeking evidence of client management competence, is consistent with a diagnostic hypothesis testing strategy and is not consistent with a conservative testing strategy. Collectively, these results provide insights into how auditors' ‘tone at the top’ knowledge is organized and used.