Differential Diagnosis for Abdominal Pain with Enlarged Inguinal Lymph Nodes
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroenteritis or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) with lymphadenopathy: This is a common cause of abdominal pain and can be associated with enlarged inguinal lymph nodes due to the body's immune response to the infection or inflammation.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation of the diverticula in the digestive tract can cause abdominal pain and may lead to lymphadenopathy, including enlargement of inguinal lymph nodes, especially if the infection spreads.
- Appendicitis: Although appendicitis typically presents with right lower quadrant pain, it can sometimes cause more generalized abdominal pain and may be associated with lymph node enlargement.
- Inguinal Hernia with Incarceration or Strangulation: An inguinal hernia can cause abdominal pain and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes if it becomes incarcerated or strangulated, leading to an inflammatory response.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Testicular Cancer with Metastasis: Testicular cancer can metastasize to the inguinal lymph nodes, causing enlargement. Although less common, missing this diagnosis could be catastrophic.
- Lymphoma: Both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can present with lymphadenopathy, including inguinal lymph nodes, and abdominal pain due to involvement of abdominal lymph nodes or other organs.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): An AAA can cause abdominal pain and, if it ruptures, can lead to a severe inflammatory response that might involve the lymph nodes.
Rare Diagnoses
- Kaposi's Sarcoma: This rare cancer can cause lymphadenopathy and abdominal pain, especially in immunocompromised patients.
- Castleman Disease: A rare disorder that involves an overgrowth of cells in the lymph nodes, which can cause lymphadenopathy and systemic symptoms including abdominal pain.
- Whipple's Disease: A rare, systemic bacterial infection that can cause abdominal pain, weight loss, and lymphadenopathy, among other symptoms.