Differential Diagnosis for Yellow Discharge and Back Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): The presence of yellow discharge, which could be indicative of purulent urine, combined with back pain, suggests a possible infection of the urinary tract, including pyelonephritis, which affects the kidneys and can cause flank or back pain.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Kidney Stones: Back pain and yellow discharge could be related to kidney stones, especially if the discharge is actually hematuria (blood in the urine) which can appear yellow or brown.
- Prostatitis: In males, prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) can cause back pain and urinary symptoms, including discharge.
- Pyclonephritis: An infection of the kidney, which can cause back pain and changes in urine, including discharge or cloudy appearance.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Spinal Epidural Abscess: Although rare, this condition is a medical emergency that can cause back pain and neurological symptoms. The presence of fever and significant back pain warrants consideration of this diagnosis.
- Spinal Cancer or Metastasis: Back pain that persists or worsens over time, especially if accompanied by other systemic symptoms like weight loss or fever, should prompt an evaluation for spinal cancer or metastasis.
- Tuberculosis of the Spine (Pott's Disease): This condition can cause back pain and systemic symptoms, including fever and weight loss. It's more common in areas where TB is prevalent but should be considered in patients with risk factors.
Rare Diagnoses
- Schistosomiasis: A parasitic infection that can cause urinary symptoms, including hematuria, and is endemic in certain parts of the world.
- Malacoplakia: A rare inflammatory condition that can affect the urinary tract and cause symptoms similar to a UTI, including discharge.
- Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis: A rare form of chronic pyelonephritis that can cause back pain and urinary symptoms due to a destructive inflammatory process in the kidney.