Colitis Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Jan 04, 2019
  • Author: David A Piccoli, MD; Chief Editor: Carmen Cuffari, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Failure to make an early diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) may lead to a catastrophic course. Early suspicion and intervention, including abdominal obstructive series, laboratory studies, and treatment, are indicated. Failure to recognize complications of colitis (eg, toxic megacolon, hemolytic uremic syndrome [HUS], and disseminated intravascular coagulation [DIC]) may result in mortality and require early diagnosis and intervention to prevent a catastrophe.

Differential Diagnoses