Abdominal mass

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Anatomical landmarks, front view

Aortic aneurysm

Digestive system

Fibroid tumors

Mass in the abdomen

All abdominal masses should be examined as soon as possible by the health care provider. In the meantime, a few measures can help reduce discomfort. Changing the body position can sometimes increase comfort if the mass is accompanied by discomfort.

If the mass is accompanied by sudden or severe pain, consider this an emergency situation, and see your health care provider immediately!

• A pulsating abdominal mass exists, accompanied by severe abdominal pain. This could be a ruptured aortic aneurysm, and is an emergency condition!
• You notice an abdominal mass of any sort. All masses should be examined by the health care provider (in fact, most abdominal masses are first noticed by the provider, not by the affected person).

In nonemergency situations, a complete medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. In emergency situations, the condition of the affected person will be stabilized first, then the abdomen will be examined and the medical history will be obtained.

Medical history questions documenting an abdominal mass in detail may include:

• Location
  • Is the mass in the upper abdomen?
    • Is the mass in the right-upper quadrant?
    • Is the mass in the left-upper quadrant?
    • Is the mass in the upper-middle area?
  • Is the mass in the lower abdomen?
    • Is the mass in the left-lower quadrant?
    • Is the mass in the right-lower quadrant?
  • Is the mass around the navel (periumbilical)?
  • Is the mass in the groin (inguinal)?
• Time pattern
  • How long ago was the mass noticed?
  • Does the lump or mass come and go?
  • How often have you seen the mass? (On how many occasions?)
• Other
  • Has the mass changed in size, position, extent of discomfort, or in any other way?
  • What other symptoms are also present?

The physical examination will include extra attention to the entire abdomen. Several position changes may be necessary during abdominal examination because some masses can only be felt in certain positions. A pelvic examination and a rectal examination may also be performed in some cases.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed are:

• Blood tests such as CBC and blood chemistry
• Abdominal x-ray
• Barium enema
• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Angiography
• Isotope study
• EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy)
• Sigmoidoscopy

Review Date: 08/11/2005
Reviewed By: Joseph P. Hart, M.D., Marco Polo Traveling Fellow c/o Department of Vascular Surgery, A. Z. St. Blasius Hospital (Belgium). Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.