Differential Diagnosis for Enteritis
The differential diagnosis for enteritis can be organized into the following categories:
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Viral gastroenteritis: This is the most common cause of enteritis, often resulting from norovirus or rotavirus infection, and is usually self-limiting.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Bacterial gastroenteritis (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter): These infections can cause enteritis and are often foodborne or waterborne.
- Food poisoning: Similar to bacterial gastroenteritis, food poisoning can cause enteritis and is usually related to the consumption of contaminated food.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic enteritis.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine telescopes into another, which can cause bowel obstruction and ischemia if not promptly treated.
- Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix, which can cause severe abdominal pain and may lead to perforation if not treated.
- Mesenteric ischemia: A condition where the blood flow to the intestine is compromised, which can lead to tissue death and is a medical emergency.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Whipple's disease: A rare bacterial infection that can cause malabsorption and enteritis.
- Eosinophilic gastroenteritis: A rare condition characterized by the infiltration of eosinophils into the gastrointestinal tract, which can cause enteritis.
- Behçet's disease: A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause enteritis, among other symptoms.
- Yersiniosis: A rare bacterial infection that can cause enteritis, often related to the consumption of contaminated food or water.