What is the likely diagnosis for a 13-year-old premenarchal girl with intermittent lower abdominal pain, rectal pain during bowel movements, and a smooth, firm mass protruding from the labia majora?

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Differential Diagnosis for a 13-year-old girl with lower abdominal pain and a pelvic mass

  • Single most likely diagnosis:
    • Imperforate hymen with hematocolpos: This condition is likely given the patient's symptoms of cyclic lower abdominal pain, rectal pain with bowel movements, and the presence of a smooth, firm mass protruding between the labia majora. The mass is likely blood accumulated in the vagina due to the imperforate hymen, which is a congenital condition where the hymen completely covers the vaginal opening, preventing menstrual blood from flowing out.
  • Other Likely diagnoses:
    • Ovarian cyst or torsion: Although less likely given the absence of acute severe pain and the presence of a mass, ovarian cysts or torsion could still be considered, especially if the mass is found to be separate from the vagina.
    • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Despite the patient's reported lack of sexual activity, PID cannot be entirely ruled out without further investigation, including sexual history and diagnostic tests.
  • Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.):
    • Ectopic pregnancy: Although the patient denies sexual activity, it's crucial to consider ectopic pregnancy due to its potential severity and the fact that sexual history may not always be reliable.
    • Appendicitis: While the patient's symptoms and examination findings do not strongly suggest appendicitis, it's a condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious complications.
    • Malignancy (e.g., ovarian or vaginal cancer): Although rare in this age group, any pelvic mass warrants consideration of malignancy to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.
  • Rare diagnoses:
    • Müllerian duct anomalies: These are congenital anomalies of the female reproductive system that could potentially cause pelvic masses or obstructive symptoms.
    • Vaginal or uterine tumors: These are rare in adolescents and would be considered if the mass does not respond to initial treatment for more common conditions.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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