Pain In The Abdomen And Shoulder. Normal CAT Scan, Ultrasound. Endoscopy Shows Hiatus Hernia. Suggestions?

Posted on Mon, 2 Jan 2012

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

Mon, 2 Jan 2012 Answered on

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : right sided upper abdo and shoulder pain,normal cat scan,ultrasound, endoscopy shows small hiatus hernia,normal liver function tests,normal colonoscopy...54 female

Answered by Dr. Poorna Chandra K.S (-3 hours later)

Hi and thanks for the query.

Right upper abdominal pain and shoulder pain usually signify a diaphragmatic irritation or a liver/ Gall bladder problem.

With a normal CAT scan, liver function tests the likely possibilities are -
1) A reflux disease - may be associated with hiatus hernia (which is present in your case)
2) Biliary dyskinesia - Liver function abnormalities and Ultrasound abnormalities are intermittent and foung only during pain.
3) A fatty liver and a penetrating ulcer if these are missed on the investigations.

Your symptoms could be due to Hiatus Hernia. Usually mild hiatus hernia can be treated conservatively. Only few cases needs surgical correction.

Get yourself examined by Gastroenterologist so that necessary treatment can be initiated.

Regards.
Dr XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Jyoti Patil