Differential Diagnosis for Pain Radiating from Low Back to Umbilicus
The differential diagnosis for pain that radiates from the low back area all the way around to the umbilicus can be categorized as follows:
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Lumbar disc herniation or lumbar radiculopathy: This condition often presents with low back pain that radiates to the abdomen, potentially reaching the umbilicus, due to nerve root irritation or compression affecting the lower thoracic or upper lumbar nerve roots.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Musculoskeletal strain or overuse: Strain in the abdominal or back muscles can cause pain that radiates around the abdomen and lower back.
- Degenerative disc disease: Wear and tear on the spinal discs can lead to pain in the lower back that may radiate to the abdomen.
- Spondylosis or spondylolisthesis: These conditions involve defects in the vertebrae or slippage of the vertebrae, which can cause pain radiating from the lower back to the abdomen.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): Although less common, an expanding AAA can cause severe back and abdominal pain, which is a medical emergency.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can cause severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back.
- Kidney stones or pyelonephritis: These conditions can cause severe flank pain that may radiate to the abdomen and lower back.
- Ovarian torsion or ectopic pregnancy (in females): These are gynecological emergencies that can present with severe lower abdominal pain.
Rare Diagnoses
- Spinal tumors: Tumors in the spine can cause pain that radiates from the lower back to the abdomen.
- Inflammatory spondyloarthropathies (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis): These conditions can cause chronic back pain and stiffness, potentially radiating to the abdomen.
- Referred pain from thoracic or abdominal visceral issues: Certain conditions affecting internal organs can cause referred pain patterns that might seem unusual or atypical.