Differential Diagnosis for Right Breast Pain in a 9-Year-Old
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Breast bud tenderness: This is a common condition in prepubertal girls, often associated with the onset of puberty. The breast buds can become tender and painful due to hormonal changes.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Trauma or injury: Accidental injury to the breast area can cause pain and should be considered, especially if there's a history of recent trauma.
- Infection or mastitis: Although less common in prepubertal girls, infections can occur and cause breast pain.
- Cyst or benign tumor: Benign breast tumors, such as fibroadenomas, can occur in young girls and may cause pain.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Breast cancer: Although extremely rare in children, breast cancer must be considered to consider to avoid missing a potentially life-threatening condition.
- Inflammatory breast cancer: This rare and aggressive form of breast cancer can present with pain and should not be overlooked.
- Pectoralis muscle strain: Strain of the pectoralis muscle can mimic breast pain and is important to diagnose to provide appropriate treatment.
Rare Diagnoses
- Precocious puberty: This condition involves early onset puberty, which can lead to breast development and potentially breast pain.
- Tuberous breast deformity: A rare congenital condition that can cause breast asymmetry and potentially pain.
- Neurofibromatosis: A genetic disorder that can cause tumors to form on nerve tissue, potentially leading to breast pain if a tumor develops in the breast area.