Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
08:24
Abdominal Massage to Improve Motor Dysfunction in Rats with Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 11, 2023
Left sided abdominal pain in childhood
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, University of Newcastle Medical School, New South Wales, Australia.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Left sided abdominal pain in children rarely has a surgical cause, but testicular torsion is a risk. Initial investigations should focus on the urinary tract and testicular examination in boys.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pediatric Urology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Background:
- Left sided abdominal pain is a common presentation in pediatric surgical practices.
- Identifying the underlying cause can be challenging, with many cases having non-surgical etiologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes of left sided abdominal pain in children over a 10-year period.
- To identify surgically significant causes and assess the significance of testicular torsion in this context.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 59 pediatric patients presenting with left sided abdominal pain (acute or chronic).
- Follow-up to determine the identified cause of pain.
- Analysis of associated conditions, including testicular torsion in male patients.
Main Results:
- Only two surgically significant causes were identified: hydronephrosis and congenital uterine abnormality.
- Other suspected causes included Mittelschmerz, fecal retention, gastroenteritis, functional pain, abdominal migraine, and allergies.
- Two boys experienced testicular torsion within two years of presenting with left sided abdominal pain.
Conclusions:
- Surgically significant causes of left sided abdominal pain in children are rare.
- Testicular torsion is a significant concern in boys with left sided abdominal pain, necessitating thorough testicular examination.
- Initial investigations for left sided abdominal pain in both sexes should prioritize the urinary tract.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Abdominal Regions and Quadrants
To promote clear communication, for instance, about the location of a patient's abdominal pain or a suspicious mass, anatomists and clinicians typically use imaginary lines to categorize the abdominopelvic cavity into either four quadrants or nine regions to identify organs in the cavity.
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four quadrants...
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four quadrants...
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) presents with diverse symptoms depending on the location and severity of the ulcer. Clinical manifestations of peptic ulcer include dull pain and a burning sensation in the mid-epigastric region.
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
The pancreas, an elongated and flat gland situated behind the stomach, serves a vital function in digesting food and managing blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
01:22Appendicitis-I: Introduction
The appendix, a small, narrow, blind tube extending from the inferior part of the cecum, is widely regarded as a vestigial organ, having lost much of its original function through evolution. Despite its diminished role, the appendix can become inflamed, a condition known as appendicitis.
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
01:19Appendicitis
Appendicitis is an acute inflammatory condition of the vermiform appendix, most commonly caused by obstruction of its lumen. The appendix is a narrow, blind-ended pouch that extends from the cecum, making it particularly prone to obstruction. Causes include fecaliths, lymphoid hyperplasia (often after viral infections), parasites, tumors, or foreign bodies. This obstruction initiates a cascade of pathological changes.Luminal Obstruction and Early InflammationAfter obstruction, normal mucosal...
01:25Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing, relapsing inflammation of the pancreas, characterized by irreversible damage to the gland. It results in progressive destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma, fibrosis, and eventual loss of both exocrine and endocrine function. The disease may evolve gradually after multiple episodes of acute pancreatitis or develop independently.EtiologyChronic pancreatitis can arise from a variety of causes:Alcohol use is the leading cause, accounting for 70–80% of...