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Differential Diagnosis for "Can't See, Can't Pee, Can't Bend the Knee"

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Spinal Cord Injury or Compression: This condition could explain all three symptoms due to the compression or injury of the spinal cord, affecting vision (through associated head trauma or increased intracranial pressure), urinary retention (due to autonomic dysfunction), and lower limb mobility (including knee bending).

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, potentially causing vision problems, urinary retention, and mobility issues, including difficulty bending the knee.
  • Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident: Depending on the location and extent, a stroke could lead to visual disturbances, urinary incontinence or retention, and motor deficits affecting the ability to bend the knee.
  • Guillain-Barré Syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that can lead to rapid-onset muscle weakness, potentially causing difficulty with mobility (including bending the knee) and autonomic dysfunction leading to urinary retention. Vision can be affected indirectly through associated conditions or treatments.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Cauda Equina Syndrome: A serious condition that requires immediate medical attention, caused by compression of the nerves in the lower spine, leading to loss of bladder and bowel control, sexual dysfunction, and potentially severe pain and sensory loss in the legs, which could explain the inability to bend the knee and urinary issues.
  • Spinal Epidural Abscess: A collection of pus in the epidural space that can compress the spinal cord, leading to neurological deficits, including paralysis, loss of sensation, and autonomic dysfunction, which could result in the inability to see (if the abscess affects the cervical spine), urinary retention, and difficulty moving the lower limbs.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Neurosyphilis: A complication of untreated syphilis infection that can affect the spinal cord and brain, leading to a wide range of neurological symptoms, including vision problems, urinary incontinence, and motor deficits.
  • Tuberculosis of the Spine (Pott's Disease): A rare condition in many parts of the world, characterized by infection of the spine with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can lead to spinal cord compression and associated neurological deficits, including paralysis and loss of bladder control.

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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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