Baltimore, MD
A 25-year-old female asked:
a friend has severe pain and hard lump below lower left ribs; a ct scan and blood work in the er were negative. could it still be a hernia? what else?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barry Rosen answered
General Surgery 34 years experience
Hernia Doubtful: Cts are pretty reliable for identifying abdominal wall hernias (less so, in the groin); this fact along w/the location of the lump make a hernia very unlikely. In fact, a normal ct should be very reassuring for "ruling-out" anything too serious. I have seen muscle spasms of the abdominal wall cause similar symptoms but that's a stretch w/o a formal exam. Your friend should follow-up w/their dr.
5600 views
Dr. Kevin Hiler commented
General Surgery 42 years experience
May also be a rib dislocation
Sep 15, 2012
Dr. Barry Rosen commented
General Surgery 34 years experience
Provided original answer
Rib dislocations can cause severe pain but would be seen on CT scan.
Sep 15, 2012
Dr. Erik Borncamp commented
Wound care 25 years experience
What do you mean by "lump", does it change? is it inflamed? does it come and go? hard? soft? An MD would be able to examine you and help you find the cause of your pain
Mar 1, 2017
Dr. Kevin Hiler answered
General Surgery 42 years experience
Rib dislocation: The history is suggestive of a rib dislocation.
5600 views
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Last updated Apr 2, 2019
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