Differential Diagnosis for Sentinel Tag on an Infant Around Anterior Anal Ring
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Anal fissure: This is the most common cause of a sentinel tag in infants, often resulting from the passage of hard stool, which can cause a tear in the anal mucosa, leading to the formation of a tag.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Perianal abscess or fistula: These conditions can also present with a sentinel tag and are often associated with anal discharge or signs of infection.
- Rectal prolapse: Although less common, rectal prolapse can cause a tag-like appearance around the anal ring due to the protrusion of rectal mucosa.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Infantile hemorrhoids: Although rare in infants, hemorrhoids can cause significant bleeding and should not be missed.
- Malignancy (e.g., rhabdomyosarcoma): Although extremely rare, any unusual or persistent anal lesions in infants warrant further investigation to rule out malignancy.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can present with perianal disease, including tags, and require prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Ectopic tissue (e.g., skin tags or accessory tracts): These are congenital anomalies that can present as a tag around the anal ring.
- Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV): A sexually transmitted infection that can cause perianal lesions, although this would be extremely rare in infants and would suggest sexual abuse.
- Congenital conditions (e.g., anal duplication or perianal granuloma): These are rare congenital anomalies that can present with a tag-like appearance around the anal ring.