Symptom Finder - Abdominal Masses
Abdominal Masses
The kidneys are not usually palpable, but they may be felt in polycystic kidney disease, hydronephrosis, and hypernephroma. Flank tenderness
(Murphy sign) may help verify that the mass is a large kidney, especially if there is an associated urinary tract infection. An aortic aneurysm is in the midline position, and there is most certainly a bruit present on auscultation. It is not possible to feel most carcinomas and other tumors of
the intestinal tract until they are advanced significantly. This is true of carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. One probably will not feel it before
there is significant bile duct obstruction and jaundice. By that time, there will be significant wasting and generalized pruritus.
The clinician can distinguish a hypogastric mass from a distended bladder simply by inserting a catheter into the bladder. Final definition of a
suspected abdominal mass relies on a CT scan of the abdomen or ultrasonography.
The kidneys are not usually palpable, but they may be felt in polycystic kidney disease, hydronephrosis, and hypernephroma. Flank tenderness
(Murphy sign) may help verify that the mass is a large kidney, especially if there is an associated urinary tract infection. An aortic aneurysm is in the midline position, and there is most certainly a bruit present on auscultation. It is not possible to feel most carcinomas and other tumors of
the intestinal tract until they are advanced significantly. This is true of carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. One probably will not feel it before
there is significant bile duct obstruction and jaundice. By that time, there will be significant wasting and generalized pruritus.
The clinician can distinguish a hypogastric mass from a distended bladder simply by inserting a catheter into the bladder. Final definition of a
suspected abdominal mass relies on a CT scan of the abdomen or ultrasonography.
