Differential Diagnosis for Throat Pain after Swallowing Hot Liquid
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Thermal Burn of the Esophagus or Pharynx: This is the most likely diagnosis given the history of swallowing hot liquid. The pain is a direct result of the thermal injury to the mucosal lining of the esophagus or pharynx.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): The act of swallowing hot liquid could exacerbate existing GERD, leading to throat pain due to acid reflux.
- Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus, which could be caused by the hot liquid, leading to pain during swallowing.
- Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the pharynx, potentially caused by the thermal injury, leading to throat pain.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Esophageal Perforation: Although rare, if the thermal burn is severe, it could lead to perforation of the esophagus, which is a medical emergency.
- Cancer of the Esophagus or Pharynx: While unlikely to be directly caused by a single incident of swallowing hot liquid, any persistent or severe throat pain should prompt an investigation for malignancy to avoid missing a potentially deadly diagnosis.
Rare Diagnoses
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis: An inflammatory condition of the esophagus that could potentially be triggered by the thermal injury, though it's more commonly associated with food allergies or atopic conditions.
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: A rare but serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes, which could be triggered by certain medications or infections, and might present with throat pain among other symptoms.