Differential Diagnosis for Suspected Diverticulitis Flare
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Diverticulitis: Although the patient does not have abdominal pain, which is a common symptom of diverticulitis, the elevated WBC count and history of diverticulitis suggest that this could still be a flare of the condition, possibly presenting atypically.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis could present with frequent loose stools and an elevated WBC count, indicating an inflammatory process.
- Infectious Gastroenteritis: This could cause similar symptoms, including loose stools and an elevated white blood cell count, especially if the infection is bacterial.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Although IBS typically does not cause an elevated WBC count, it could be considered if the loose stools are the primary symptom and other conditions are ruled out.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses
- Appendicitis: Although abdominal pain is typically a key symptom, atypical presentations can occur, especially in older adults or those with a retrocecal appendix. The elevated WBC count warrants consideration of this diagnosis.
- Colon Cancer: While less likely to present with acute symptoms like loose stools, colon cancer can cause changes in bowel habits and should be considered, especially if there are other risk factors.
- Ischemic Colitis: This condition can present with sudden onset of abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits, but pain might be minimal or absent in some cases. The elevated WBC count could indicate an ischemic event.
- Rare diagnoses
- Microscopic Colitis: This condition can cause chronic watery diarrhea and might be considered if other diagnoses are ruled out, though it typically does not cause a significant elevation in WBC count.
- Lymphocytic Colitis: Similar to microscopic colitis, it's a rare condition causing chronic diarrhea, usually without an elevated WBC count, but could be considered in a differential diagnosis for chronic changes in bowel habits.
- Eosinophilic Colitis: A rare condition that could present with diarrhea and might have an elevated WBC count, though it's more commonly associated with eosinophilia rather than a general leukocytosis.