Differential Diagnosis for Eye Jaundice
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Conjunctival icterus due to liver disease: This is the most common cause of eye jaundice, resulting from elevated bilirubin levels in the blood, which can be due to various liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver failure.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Pancreatic disease: Conditions like pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer can cause jaundice by obstructing the bile duct, leading to a buildup of bilirubin.
- Hemolytic anemia: This condition involves the breakdown of red blood cells, which can increase bilirubin levels and cause jaundice.
- Bile duct obstruction: Blockage of the bile ducts can prevent bilirubin from being excreted into the intestine, leading to its accumulation in the blood and tissues.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Cholangiocarcinoma: A cancer of the bile duct, which can cause obstructive jaundice and is often diagnosed at a late stage, making early detection crucial.
- Pancreatic cancer: As mentioned earlier, pancreatic cancer can cause jaundice, and it is essential to diagnose it early due to its high mortality rate.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma: Liver cancer can also cause jaundice, and prompt diagnosis is vital for treatment and prognosis.
Rare Diagnoses
- Dubin-Johnson syndrome: A rare genetic disorder characterized by chronic jaundice due to an inability to secrete conjugated bilirubin into the bile.
- Rotor syndrome: A benign condition similar to Dubin-Johnson syndrome, causing chronic jaundice without liver damage.
- Crigler-Najjar syndrome: A rare genetic disorder affecting the metabolism of bilirubin, leading to severe jaundice.