Abdominal Mass in the Left Lower Quadrant

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL

The presence of an abdominal mass in the left lower quadrant (LLQ) can be indicative of a variety of pathological conditions, each with its own clinical characteristics and diagnostic requirements.

This finding may be associated with a range of symptoms, from abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits to systemic symptoms such as fever and weight loss. Correct evaluation and diagnosis of a mass in this region are crucial for proper patient management and may involve both imaging studies and laboratory tests to identify the underlying etiology.

Pathology	Symptoms and Clinical Signs	Suspicion Diagnosis	Confirmatory Diagnosis
Diverticular Abscess	LLQ abdominal pain, fever, palpable mass, general malaise	Clinical history and physical examination	Abdominal and Pelvic CT scan
Descending Colon Carcinoma	Abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, weight loss, blood in stools	Clinical history, physical examination, fecal occult blood test	Colonoscopy with biopsy, Abdominal and Pelvic CT scan
Fecal Impaction	Abdominal pain, severe constipation, palpable abdominal mass	Clinical history and physical examination	Abdominal X-ray, Abdominal and Pelvic CT scan
Diverticulitis	LLQ abdominal pain, fever, changes in bowel habits	Clinical history and physical examination	Abdominal and Pelvic CT scan, abdominal ultrasound
Ovarian Cyst (in women)	LLQ abdominal pain, menstrual irregularities, urinary symptoms	Clinical history and gynecological examination	Transvaginal ultrasound, Abdominal and Pelvic CT scan
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)	Abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, fever, anemia	Clinical history, physical examination, blood tests (CRP, ESR)	Colonoscopy with biopsy, Abdominal and Pelvic CT scan
Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia	LLQ abdominal pain, painful mass in the inguinal region, obstructive symptoms	Clinical history and physical examination	Inguinal ultrasound, Abdominal and Pelvic CT scan
Lymphoma	Palpable abdominal mass, fever, weight loss, night sweats, fatigue	Clinical history, physical examination, blood tests (LDH, CBC)	Biopsy of the affected lymph node, Abdominal and Pelvic CT scan, PET scan