Pathognomonic

As pathognomonic (Greek παθογνωμονικό [ σύμπτωμα ] pathognomonikó [ símbtoma ], or even pathognomonic, Greek παθογνωστικό [ σύμπτωμα ], pathognostikó, both disease- characteristic [ symptom ] ' ) is called in medicine a symptom, which is already taken by itself sufficient for a definitive diagnosis, since it only occurs in each of a certain disease.

Examples

• The excretion of Bence Jones proteins in multiple myeloma and the incidence of cylinders in the urinary sediment are pathognomonic of an inflammation in the renal parenchyma.
• The microscopically visible Auer rods are pathognomonic for acute myeloid leukemia ( AML).