Flank pain is a non-specific sign of many diseases of the abdominal cavity, retroperitoneal space, and pelvis. To determine the cause of flank pain, the localization and nature of the pain syndrome, as well as the conditions of its occurrence, combination with other symptoms are important. The diagnosis is made taking into account clinical and physical data, ultrasound, endoscopic, X-ray, laboratory studies. Treatment tactics are determined by the underlying pathology: in gastroenterological diseases, a diet and drug therapy are prescribed; in case of surgical pathology, urgent or planned surgical intervention is indicated.
Classification
Pain in the lateral parts of the abdomen occurs in diseases of the digestive system, urinary tract, reproductive sphere. These pathologies may have inflammatory, tumor, traumatic etiology, functional or organic genesis. By localization, flank pain is divided into:
- in the left hypochondrium;
- in the right hypochondrium;
- in the left iliac region;
- in the right iliac region.
Pain in the left hypochondrium
Topographically, the spleen, jejunum, partially stomach and pancreas are located in the left hypochondrium. The defeat of these organs is always accompanied by the development of pain syndrome. Pain in the left hypochondrium is characteristic of pancreatitis, gastritis, gastric ulcer, and eyunitis. The pains are of different nature and intensity, may occur on an empty stomach or after eating. Usually accompanied by depeptic symptoms (vomiting, nausea, belching).
Pain in the left hypochondrium can also signal diseases of the spleen: heart attack, abscess, organ rupture. Reflected pain in the left hypochondrium occurs with lower lobe left-sided pneumonia, pleurisy, rib fractures.
Pain in the right hypochondrium
In the right subcostal region, the 12-duodenum, liver, gallbladder, and hepatic bend of the colon are localized. Most often, the cause of pain in the hypochondrium on the right are duodenitis, cholecystitis, GI, hepatitis, biliary dyskinesia.
In the hypochondrium, pain from the right half of the chest can radiate with pleurisy, pneumonia, intercostal neuralgia. The pain in the right side can mask pathological processes in the kidney, adrenal gland, diaphragm. Pain in the right hypochondrium often occurs in the abdominal form of myocardial infarction.
Pain in the left side
The left iliac region is the receptacle of part of the small intestine, sigmoid colon, genitourinary organs – the left ureter, ovary and fallopian tube. With pain in this area, combined with digestive disorders, first of all you should think about intestinal diseases – sigmoiditis, diverticulitis, tumors of the descending colon and sigmoid colon.
In women, the likely cause of pain in the left side may be an exacerbation of left-sided adnexitis. Pain in the pathology of the kidneys and urinary tract can radiate into the left iliac region: urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, urethritis.
Pain in the right side
In the right iliac region are the ileum, caecum, appendix. Also here is the right ureter, in women – appendages. Any pathological processes and injuries of these organs can cause pain in the right side.
Pain syndrome in the right iliac region is typical for intestinal diseases: ileitis, appendicitis, colitis. It can occur with tumors of the ascending colon and caecum. Pain in intestinal diseases is often combined with stool disorders (diarrhea, constipation, the presence of pathological impurities in feces).
Pain in the right side in women can be an indicator of right-sided salpingoophoritis, torsion of the leg of the ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy. Sharp soreness in the iliac region is characteristic of right-sided renal colic, accompanied by the discharge of concretions. Possible causes of pain in the right side may be an inguinal or femoral hernia.