Differential Diagnosis for Kidney Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones): This is often the most common cause of kidney pain, characterized by severe, sharp pain, usually on one side of the back, below the ribs, and radiating to the lower abdomen or groin. The pain can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and frequent or painful urination.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infection): An infection of the kidney, typically causing pain in the flank area, fever, and other symptoms like dysuria or frequent urination.
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): While more commonly associated with bladder symptoms, upper UTIs can cause kidney pain.
- Kidney Cyst: Simple cysts are common and usually benign but can cause pain if they become large enough to press on surrounding tissues.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Renal Cell Carcinoma: Although less common, kidney cancer can present with persistent pain in the side or back, below the ribs, and is crucial not to miss due to its serious implications.
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): A genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts filled with fluid in the kidneys, which can impair their ability to filter waste products from the blood.
- Sickle Cell Disease with Renal Involvement: Patients with sickle cell disease can experience kidney damage leading to pain among other symptoms.
- Renal Infarction: A serious condition where the blood supply to the kidney is interrupted, leading to tissue death, and can present with acute flank pain.
- Rare diagnoses
- Renal Artery Aneurysm: A rare condition where an aneurysm occurs in the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys, potentially causing pain.
- Renal Vein Thrombosis: A blood clot that forms in the veins that carry blood from the kidneys back to the heart, more common in patients with nephrotic syndrome or dehydration.
- Medullary Sponge Kidney: A rare congenital disorder that affects the kidneys and can lead to the formation of small cysts, typically causing flank pain and recurrent kidney stones.