Differential Diagnosis for Elevated WBC and Bloody Stools
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to bloody stools and an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count due to the body's immune response to the inflammation.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Infectious Gastroenteritis: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections can cause inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining, resulting in bloody stools and an elevated WBC count as the body fights the infection.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticula in the wall of the colon can lead to bloody stools and an elevated WBC count due to the infection and inflammation.
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part, potentially cutting off blood supply and causing ischemia, which can lead to bloody stools and an elevated WBC count.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Ischemic Colitis: Reduced blood flow to the colon can cause damage to the intestinal lining, leading to bloody stools. An elevated WBC count may occur due to the body's response to tissue damage. This condition is critical and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Colon Cancer: Although less common in the acute presentation, colon cancer can cause bloody stools and an elevated WBC count if there is associated infection or inflammation.
- Mesenteric Thrombosis: A blood clot in one of the major arteries that supply blood to the intestine can cause ischemia, leading to bloody stools and an elevated WBC count due to tissue damage and potential infection.
Rare Diagnoses
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels, and many other organs and tissues. Rarely, it can lead to gastrointestinal complications, including bloody stools.
- Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP): A form of vasculitis that affects blood vessels and can cause abdominal pain, bloody stools, and an elevated WBC count due to the inflammatory response.
- Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS): A condition characterized by the destruction of red blood cells, low platelet count, and kidney failure. It can be associated with bloody stools and an elevated WBC count, especially in the context of certain infections like E. coli.