Upper Abdomen Swelling, Visible And Noticable. Right Side Just Under

Posted on Tue, 2 Apr 2019

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

Tue, 2 Apr 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : upper abdomen swelling, visible and noticable. right side just under rib cage. feels like a balloon. been chronic for well over a year; does come and go. have not been able to align with types of food, etc. have had ultrasound but nothing discovered. When at its worst - as in balloon feeling is expanded, I can push on the location as it definately protrudes. When at fullest feeling, breathing is impacted - not like short of breath but more like not enough "space"

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
please go for a CT scan of the abdomen.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for choosing the 'Ask A Doctor' service for your query...

I've reviewed your details...Very likely you have an epigastric/abdominal hernia.

Ultrasound is just a baseline test and results depend on the quality of the machine, the experience of the technician and very importantly the window (how clearly are the waves penetrating your body). Some patients have a poor window and small to medium hernias are missed.

I would suggest you go for a CT scan of the abdomen. Its a highly sensitive test and would detect even minor protrusions.

Do follow up with the reports also.
Hope I was helpful,
Thanks!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee