Differential Diagnosis for Hypoalbuminemia, Pulmonary Nodules, and Diarrhea
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Whipple's Disease: A rare, systemic bacterial infection caused by Tropheryma whipplei, which can lead to malabsorption (causing hypoalbuminemia and diarrhea) and pulmonary involvement (resulting in nodules).
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Sarcoidosis: An autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs, including the lungs (causing nodules) and gastrointestinal system (leading to diarrhea and malabsorption, which can result in hypoalbuminemia).
- Lymphoma: Both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can cause systemic symptoms, including diarrhea and hypoalbuminemia due to malabsorption, and pulmonary nodules due to direct involvement of the lungs.
- Tuberculosis: Although less common in causing diarrhea, TB can lead to pulmonary nodules and hypoalbuminemia due to chronic infection and malabsorption.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Wegener's Granulomatosis (Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, GPA): An autoimmune disease that can cause pulmonary nodules and renal involvement, potentially leading to hypoalbuminemia. Diarrhea can be a part of the systemic symptoms. Missing this diagnosis could be fatal due to its potential for rapid progression and organ damage.
- Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM): A rare lung disease that primarily affects women, causing pulmonary nodules (cysts) and can lead to diarrhea and hypoalbuminemia if there's involvement of the gastrointestinal system or malabsorption. It's crucial not to miss due to its specific management and potential for severe respiratory complications.
Rare Diagnoses
- Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: A rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause diarrhea and hypoalbuminemia. Pulmonary involvement is less common but can occur, leading to nodules.
- Histiocytosis X (Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis): A rare disorder that can cause pulmonary nodules and gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, leading to hypoalbuminemia. It's essential to consider in the differential due to its potential for multi-system involvement and the need for specific treatment.