Differential Diagnosis for Rib Lump
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Costochondritis: This is the most common cause of a rib lump, characterized by inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone. It is often caused by trauma, infection, or autoimmune disorders.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Fibrous dysplasia: A benign condition where normal bone tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue, leading to the formation of a lump on the rib.
- Osteochondroma: A type of benign bone tumor that can grow on the surface of the rib, causing a lump.
- Lipoma: A benign fatty tumor that can develop under the skin, including on the rib area.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Osteosarcoma: A rare but aggressive type of bone cancer that can cause a lump on the rib. Early diagnosis is crucial for treatment.
- Ewing's sarcoma: A rare type of bone cancer that can cause a lump on the rib, often affecting children and young adults.
- Metastatic bone disease: Cancer that has spread to the rib from another part of the body, such as breast, lung, or prostate cancer.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Multiple hereditary exostoses: A rare genetic disorder characterized by the growth of multiple osteochondromas, including on the ribs.
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A rare disorder where abnormal immune cells accumulate in various parts of the body, including the bones, and can cause lumps on the ribs.
- Chondrosarcoma: A rare type of cancer that develops in the cartilage, including on the ribs.