A 20 year old male had severe sudden right lower abdominal pain while playing tennis. Examination: mass in the right lower abdomen and the pain increase gradually. Next step?
Understand the Problem
This is a medical question regarding a 20-year-old male experiencing sudden, severe right lower abdominal pain while playing tennis. The examination reveals a mass in the right lower abdomen, with pain gradually increasing. The question is asking what the appropriate next step in diagnosis or management should be.
Answer
The next step is immediate medical imaging (CT scan/ ultrasound). Consider appendicitis, hernia, and other conditions.
Given the patient's sudden, severe right lower abdominal pain, the presence of a mass, and the gradual increase in pain, the next step is immediate medical imaging (such as CT scan or ultrasound) to determine the cause. Appendicitis, hernia, or other conditions should be considered.
Answer for screen readers
Given the patient's sudden, severe right lower abdominal pain, the presence of a mass, and the gradual increase in pain, the next step is immediate medical imaging (such as CT scan or ultrasound) to determine the cause. Appendicitis, hernia, or other conditions should be considered.
More Information
The sudden onset of severe abdominal pain, especially when accompanied by a mass, suggests a serious underlying condition that requires prompt diagnosis and intervention. Appendicitis is a common cause of right lower quadrant pain, but other possibilities such as a bowel obstruction, kidney stone, or even a tumor need to be considered.
Tips
A common mistake is to only consider the most obvious diagnosis (e.g., appendicitis) without considering other possibilities. It's crucial to gather as much information as possible through imaging and lab tests to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
Sources
- Causes and Treatments for Pain in the Lower Right Abdomen - verywellhealth.com
- Pain in Lower Right Abdomen: 16 Possible Causes - Healthline - healthline.com
- Appendicitis - NHS - nhs.uk
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