Differential Diagnosis for Blood Stools with Elevated WBC
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause bloody stools due to inflammation and ulceration of the bowel mucosa. An elevated white blood cell (WBC) count is common due to the inflammatory process.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Infectious Colitis: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections can lead to bloody stools and an elevated WBC count as the body responds to the infection.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation of a diverticulum in the colon can cause bloody stools and an elevated WBC count due to the infection and inflammation.
- Gastrointestinal Infection: Certain infections like Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) can cause bloody stools and an elevated WBC count.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Ischemic Colitis: Reduced blood flow to the colon can cause bloody stools and an elevated WBC count. This condition requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent tissue death.
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine telescopes into another part, which can cause bloody stools and an elevated WBC count. It's a medical emergency, especially in children.
- Colon Cancer: Although less common in the acute presentation, colon cancer can cause bloody stools. An elevated WBC count might be seen in cases of tumor necrosis or associated infection.
Rare Diagnoses
- Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP): A systemic vasculitis that can cause bloody stools and an elevated WBC count, although it's more commonly associated with skin, joint, and kidney manifestations.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A genetic disorder that can lead to bowel perforation or bleeding, presenting with bloody stools and potentially an elevated WBC count if there's associated infection or inflammation.
- Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS): A condition characterized by hemolytic anemia, acute kidney injury, and thrombocytopenia, which can sometimes present with bloody stools and an elevated WBC count, especially if there's an associated infection like E. coli O157:H7.