Differential Diagnosis for Gluteal Cleft Pain in a 14-Year-Old Female
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Pilondial sinus or cyst: This condition is a common cause of gluteal cleft pain, especially in adolescents. It occurs when a small pit or tunnel in the skin becomes infected, leading to pain, swelling, and sometimes discharge.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Furuncle or carbuncle: These are types of skin infections that can occur in the gluteal cleft, causing pain, redness, and swelling.
- Gluteal cleft abscess: An abscess is a collection of pus that can form in the gluteal cleft, leading to severe pain and swelling.
- Perianal abscess: Although the pain is localized to the gluteal cleft, a perianal abscess can sometimes cause referred pain to this area.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Appendicitis: Although the pain is typically localized to the right lower quadrant, appendicitis can sometimes present with pain in the gluteal cleft, especially if the appendix is retrocecal.
- Ectopic pregnancy: In adolescent females, ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition that can cause lower abdominal or gluteal cleft pain.
- Ovarian torsion: This is a rare but serious condition that can cause severe pain in the lower abdomen or gluteal cleft.
Rare Diagnoses
- Tarlov cyst: A rare type of cyst that can form in the nerve roots of the spine, causing pain in the gluteal cleft.
- Gluteal cleft lipoma: A benign tumor that can cause pain and swelling in the gluteal cleft.
- Levator ani syndrome: A rare condition that causes chronic pain in the gluteal cleft due to spasms of the levator ani muscle.