Hard Lump Between Bottom Of Ribs In A Child, Discomfort. What Can It Be?

Posted on Thu, 14 Jun 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 Answered on

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : My son has a small hard lump between the bottom of the ribs and what I would guess would be his diaphram. It doesn't hurt and has not grown in size over the few months since he noticed it. If he presses it, he feels slight discomfort.

Answered by Dr. Ketan Vagholkar (5 hours later)

Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for writing in .
If the lump is in the midline between the bottom of the ribs and small in size without tendency to grow then there are 2 possibilities.
1. A lipoma ( which is not associated with any pain or discomfort related to meals) or a epigastric hernia. ( he would have discomfort related to meals and pain on pressure)
2. Neurofibroma ( where there would be slight or negligible growth unless complicated)or a dermoid cyst (This would be characterised by slow growth and putty like consistency on pressing) would be distant possibilities.
An ultrasound will reveal the contents whether solid or fluid.
If the mass is solid then a fine needle aspiartion cytology is needed to ascertain the diagnosis. I would suggest that you see a paediatrician who can then examine the mass and order an ultrasound.
I hope this answers your query.
With Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli