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Differential Diagnosis for Splenomegaly and Abdominal Pain with Diarrhea

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono): Caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), it often presents with splenomegaly, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, especially in young adults.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Gastrointestinal Infections: Various bacterial (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella), viral (e.g., Norovirus), or parasitic (e.g., Giardiasis) infections can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and splenomegaly due to the body's immune response.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can lead to splenomegaly, abdominal pain, and chronic diarrhea due to inflammation and potential extraintestinal manifestations.
  • Lymphoma: Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma can cause splenomegaly and may present with abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, especially if there is involvement of the gastrointestinal tract.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Splenomegaly due to Portal Hypertension: Conditions like liver cirrhosis can lead to portal hypertension, causing splenomegaly and potentially abdominal pain. Diarrhea might not be a direct symptom but could be related to other complications or associated conditions.
  • Sepsis: Although not directly causing diarrhea, sepsis can lead to splenomegaly and abdominal pain. Diarrhea could be a symptom of the underlying infection causing sepsis.
  • Abdominal Tuberculosis: Can cause splenomegaly, abdominal pain, and diarrhea due to the infection of the gastrointestinal tract and other abdominal organs.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Sarcoidosis: A systemic granulomatous disease that can affect any organ, including the spleen, causing splenomegaly. Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea are less common but can occur.
  • Amyloidosis: A condition characterized by the deposition of amyloid proteins in various organs, including the spleen, which can lead to splenomegaly. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, can occur due to amyloid deposition in the gut.
  • Mastocytosis: A disorder caused by the proliferation of mast cells, which can infiltrate the spleen, leading to splenomegaly. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, are common due to the release of mast cell mediators.

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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