Differential Diagnosis for Anemia, Transaminitis, and Dilated Common Bile Duct
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Pancreatic Cancer: This is a common cause of a dilated common bile duct due to obstruction, and it can also lead to anemia and transaminitis due to tumor effects or metastasis.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Choledocholithiasis (Gallstones in the Common Bile Duct): Gallstones can cause obstruction of the bile duct, leading to dilation, and can also cause pancreatitis, which may result in anemia and transaminitis.
- Cholangitis: Infection of the bile duct can cause dilation and can be associated with anemia and transaminitis due to the inflammatory response.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause a dilated common bile duct if it obstructs the ampulla of Vater, and it can also lead to anemia and transaminitis.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Hemochromatosis: A genetic disorder leading to iron overload, which can cause liver damage (transaminitis), and potentially anemia due to iron overload effects on the bone marrow, though less directly linked to a dilated common bile duct.
- Sickle Cell Disease: Can cause anemia and potentially liver enzyme elevations due to sickling in the liver, and though less common, could lead to issues affecting the bile ducts indirectly.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC): A chronic liver disease that leads to scarring, inflammation, and destruction of the bile ducts, which can cause a dilated common bile duct, anemia, and transaminitis.
- Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC): An autoimmune disease of the liver characterized by a progressive destruction of the bile ducts within the liver, leading to cholestasis, which might indirectly cause the symptoms mentioned.
- Caroli's Disease: A rare congenital disorder of the intrahepatic bile ducts, which can cause dilation of the bile ducts and potentially lead to the symptoms described, though it's more commonly associated with recurrent cholangitis.