HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Pain Under Left Rib Cage?

default
Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015
Question: Have young male,teens, for about a week or slightly longer, is having pain in his left side near but under ribs. Dull ache at onset with sharp pain with physical movement, including walking. Took to er, blood work they say normal, trace blood in urine, trace free fluid in pelvis, and cat was unable to show all of appendix but stated what they cool see looked fine. Is there a possible condition that I should be on the look out for?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
He could be having urinary tract infection.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through the details and understand your concerns. Since you have already visited the ER, I can perhaps safely assume that they have already examined him and checked for splenomegaly or splenic enlargement. If that is not present and if the blood tests are normal, I do not think that you need to be concerned. It could be due to costochondritis, a condition that can be managed by hot compress and analgesics.

However, the trace of blood concerns me. It could be due to an urinary tract infection. It could perhaps explain the trace of free fluid in the pelvis. I would be glad if you could upload the urine report.

Since the CAT scan is overall fine, I would not worry at the moment about any abdominal pathology. However, follow up with a ultrasonography may be needed later as there was trace of free fluid in the pelvis.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (16 minutes later)
The questions were in regards to my cousins son. If she has the urine report I will have her upload it to here. The only concerns I have are the only other things that I have been around, crohn's or pancreatitis, both of which can be misdiagnosed in early onset, are either of these two things possibilities?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Pancreatitis less likley. Crohn's unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

Pancratitis does not seem likely. In general it is associated with severe intractable deep seated pain radiating towards the back. If the pain is not like that, you need not worry. However, it can be confirmed by checking the blood lipase and amylase levels.

Crohn's also does not seem likely. I do not think that you need to worry about it unless he has been suffering from gastrointestinal issues.

Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Pain Under Left Rib Cage?

Brief Answer: He could be having urinary tract infection. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through the details and understand your concerns. Since you have already visited the ER, I can perhaps safely assume that they have already examined him and checked for splenomegaly or splenic enlargement. If that is not present and if the blood tests are normal, I do not think that you need to be concerned. It could be due to costochondritis, a condition that can be managed by hot compress and analgesics. However, the trace of blood concerns me. It could be due to an urinary tract infection. It could perhaps explain the trace of free fluid in the pelvis. I would be glad if you could upload the urine report. Since the CAT scan is overall fine, I would not worry at the moment about any abdominal pathology. However, follow up with a ultrasonography may be needed later as there was trace of free fluid in the pelvis. Regards