Differential Diagnosis for "Mild thickening of the rectal wall with perirectal fat stranding"
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Proctitis: This condition, which is an inflammation of the rectum, can cause thickening of the rectal wall and perirectal fat stranding due to the inflammatory process. It is a common condition that can result from various causes, including infections, inflammatory bowel disease, or radiation therapy.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Rectal cancer: Although less common than proctitis, rectal cancer can also cause thickening of the rectal wall. Perirectal fat stranding may be seen due to tumor invasion into the surrounding fat.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can affect the rectum, leading to wall thickening and perirectal fat stranding due to chronic inflammation.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation of a diverticulum in the rectum can cause localized wall thickening and fat stranding.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Rectal perforation: Although less common, a perforation in the rectum can lead to perirectal fat stranding due to leakage of contents into the surrounding tissue. This is a medical emergency requiring prompt intervention.
- Abscess: A perirectal abscess can cause fat stranding and may require drainage to prevent further complications.
- Rare diagnoses
- Lymphoma: A rare cause of rectal wall thickening, lymphoma can involve the rectum and cause perirectal fat stranding.
- Rectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV): A rare sexually transmitted infection that can cause proctitis and subsequent rectal wall thickening and fat stranding.
- Eosinophilic colitis: A rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the colon, which can cause rectal wall thickening and perirectal fat stranding.