Differential Diagnosis for Dysuria in a Teenage Girl
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): This is the most common cause of dysuria in teenage girls, often due to bacterial infections such as E. coli. The symptoms typically include burning sensation while urinating, frequent urination, and sometimes abdominal pain.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Vulvovaginitis: Inflammation of the vulva and vagina, which can be caused by infections (bacterial, fungal, or parasitic), irritants, or allergens. Symptoms include itching, burning, and abnormal discharge.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis, which can cause dysuria along with other symptoms like abnormal discharge or pelvic pain.
- Urethral Syndrome: A condition where symptoms of a UTI are present, but no infection is found. It can be due to various causes including irritation or trauma to the urethra.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): A serious infection of the female reproductive organs that can cause dysuria, pelvic pain, and fever. It's crucial to diagnose and treat PID promptly to prevent long-term complications like infertility.
- Kidney Stones: Although less common in teenagers, kidney stones can cause severe pain and dysuria. The pain often radiates from the back to the groin.
- Appendicitis: While the primary symptom is abdominal pain, dysuria can sometimes be present if the appendix is located near the bladder or ureter, causing irritation.
Rare Diagnoses
- Interstitial Cystitis: A chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain, and sometimes pelvic pain. The symptoms can worsen as the bladder fills and may improve with urination.
- Tuberculosis of the Urinary Tract: A rare condition in many parts of the world, but it can cause dysuria, frequent urination, and other systemic symptoms like weight loss and fever.
- Urethral Diverticulum: An outpouching of the urethra that can cause dysuria, recurrent UTIs, and post-void dribbling. It's relatively rare and often diagnosed in adults but can occasionally be found in teenagers.