Differential Diagnosis for Elevated Neutrophils
Elevated neutrophils, also known as neutrophilia, can be caused by a variety of conditions. Here is a differential diagnosis organized into categories:
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Bacterial infection: This is the most common cause of elevated neutrophils. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in fighting bacterial infections.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Acute stress reaction: Stress can cause an increase in neutrophils due to the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
- Inflammation: Conditions like arthritis, gout, or other inflammatory diseases can cause an increase in neutrophils.
- Trauma: Physical trauma can cause an increase in neutrophils as part of the body's response to injury.
- Surgery: Recent surgery can also cause an increase in neutrophils due to the body's response to tissue damage.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Sepsis: A life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection becomes uncontrolled and causes widespread inflammation.
- Appendicitis: A surgical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent complications.
- Pneumonia: A serious infection that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
- Meningitis: A serious infection that can cause inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Myeloproliferative neoplasms: A group of rare blood disorders that can cause an increase in neutrophils.
- Chronic neutrophilic leukemia: A rare type of leukemia that can cause an increase in neutrophils.
- Primary granulocytic sarcoma: A rare type of cancer that can cause an increase in neutrophils.
- Cyclic neutropenia: A rare genetic disorder that can cause periodic episodes of low neutrophil counts, followed by episodes of elevated neutrophil counts.