Differential Diagnosis for Frank Hematuria
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): This is often the most common cause of frank hematuria, especially in women. UTIs can cause inflammation and irritation of the bladder and urinary tract, leading to bleeding.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Kidney Stones: Stones in the kidney or ureter can cause obstruction and trauma to the urinary tract, resulting in frank hematuria.
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Enlargement of the prostate gland can cause urinary retention, leading to bleeding.
- Trauma: Any form of trauma to the abdomen or back can cause injury to the kidneys or urinary tract, resulting in hematuria.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Bladder Cancer: Although less common, bladder cancer is a critical diagnosis to consider, as it can present with painless gross hematuria.
- Kidney Cancer: Similar to bladder cancer, kidney cancer can cause hematuria and is a diagnosis that should not be missed due to its potential severity.
- Sickle Cell Disease: In patients with sickle cell disease, sickling of red blood cells can cause damage to the kidneys, leading to hematuria.
Rare Diagnoses
- Alport Syndrome: A genetic disorder that affects the type IV collagen in the kidneys, leading to hematuria and progressive kidney disease.
- Goodpasture Syndrome: A rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the kidneys and lungs, leading to hematuria and respiratory symptoms.
- Vasculitis: Inflammation of the blood vessels, which can affect the kidneys and cause hematuria, is a rare but important diagnosis to consider.