White Stool Differential Diagnosis
The differential diagnosis for white stool can be organized into the following categories:
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Biliary obstruction: This is the most likely diagnosis, as white stool (acholic stool) is a common symptom of biliary obstruction, which prevents bile from reaching the intestines, resulting in stool that is pale or clay-colored.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Pancreatic insufficiency: This condition can lead to malabsorption of fats, resulting in pale, greasy stools.
- Giardiasis: Infection with Giardia lamblia can cause malabsorption and lead to pale, fatty stools.
- Celiac disease: This autoimmune disorder can cause malabsorption and lead to pale, greasy stools.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Hepatocellular carcinoma: Although less common, hepatocellular carcinoma can cause biliary obstruction, leading to white stool. Missing this diagnosis could be deadly.
- Pancreatic cancer: Pancreatic cancer can also cause biliary obstruction, leading to white stool. Early detection is crucial for treatment.
- Sclerosing cholangitis: This rare condition can cause biliary obstruction and lead to white stool. Missing this diagnosis could result in severe complications.
Rare Diagnoses
- Alagille syndrome: A rare genetic disorder that affects the liver and can cause biliary obstruction, leading to white stool.
- Biliary atresia: A rare condition in which the bile ducts are blocked or absent, leading to white stool.
- Caroli's disease: A rare congenital disorder that affects the bile ducts and can cause biliary obstruction, leading to white stool.