Differential Diagnosis for Abdominal Pain with Neurological Deficits
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Acute Porphyria: A group of disorders that can cause abdominal pain, neurological deficits, and psychiatric symptoms due to the accumulation of porphyrins. The neurological deficits can range from mild to severe and include muscle weakness, numbness, and seizures.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis with Cerebral Edema: A complication of diabetes that can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and neurological deficits due to cerebral edema. The neurological symptoms can include confusion, altered mental status, and even coma.
- Intra-Abdominal Infection (e.g., Abscess) with Sepsis: Infections within the abdominal cavity can cause pain and, if severe, lead to sepsis, which can cause neurological deficits such as confusion, altered mental status, and seizures.
- Vasculitis (e.g., Polyarteritis Nodosa): A condition characterized by inflammation of blood vessels, which can cause abdominal pain due to involvement of mesenteric vessels and neurological deficits due to involvement of cerebral vessels.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) with Embolism: Although less common, an AAA can cause abdominal pain and, if it embolizes, can lead to neurological deficits due to decreased blood flow to parts of the brain or spinal cord.
- Mesenteric Ischemia: Reduced blood flow to the intestines can cause severe abdominal pain and, in severe cases, can lead to neurological deficits if the condition progresses to sepsis or if there's involvement of the spinal cord due to aortic occlusion.
- Spinal Epidural Abscess: An infection in the spinal epidural space can cause back pain, abdominal pain (if the abscess is in the thoracic or lumbar region), and neurological deficits such as numbness, weakness, and loss of bladder and bowel control.
Rare Diagnoses
- Neurodegenerative Disorders with Abdominal Involvement (e.g., Familial Dysautonomia): Rare genetic disorders that affect the development of the autonomic nervous system and can cause a variety of symptoms including abdominal pain and neurological deficits.
- Mitochondrial Disorders (e.g., MELAS Syndrome): A group of disorders affecting the mitochondria, which can cause a wide range of symptoms including abdominal pain, seizures, and other neurological deficits due to the involvement of mitochondrial-rich tissues.
- Heavy Metal Poisoning (e.g., Lead, Arsenic): Exposure to certain heavy metals can cause abdominal pain and neurological deficits, including peripheral neuropathy, encephalopathy, and in severe cases, seizures and coma.