Differential Diagnosis for Red Flag Painful Swallowing
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Acute Epiglottitis: This condition is characterized by inflammation of the epiglottis, which can cause severe pain when swallowing. It's a medical emergency due to the risk of airway obstruction.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Strep Pharyngitis: Caused by Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, this infection leads to severe throat pain and difficulty swallowing.
- Peritonsillar Abscess: A collection of pus behind the tonsils, which can cause severe pain on one side of the throat, difficulty swallowing, and fever.
- Esophageal Foreign Body: Objects lodged in the esophagus can cause sudden onset of severe pain when swallowing.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Cancer of the Esophagus or Throat: Although less common, cancers in these areas can present with progressive difficulty and pain when swallowing.
- Retropharyngeal Abscess: A serious infection in the space behind the pharynx, which can lead to airway compromise if not promptly treated.
- Epidural Abscess: An abscess in the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord, which can compress the spinal cord and lead to neurological deficits.
Rare Diagnoses
- Esophageal Spasm: Abnormal contractions of the esophagus that can cause chest pain and difficulty swallowing.
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A chronic immune system disease in which a type of white blood cell, the eosinophil, builds up in the esophagus in response to an allergen or irritant.
- Caustic Esophageal Injury: Damage to the esophagus from ingesting corrosive substances, which can lead to chronic pain and difficulty swallowing.