Central abdominal mass

Causes of a central abdominal mass include:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm - can cause a pulsating mass around the navel.
• Bladder distention - can cause a firm mass in the centre of the lower abdomen.
• Cholecystitis - can cause a very tender mass that is felt below the liver in the right-upper quadrant (occasionally).
• Colon cancer - can cause a mass almost anywhere in the abdomen.
• Crohn disease or bowel obstruction can cause many tender, sausage-shaped masses anywhere in the abdomen.
• Diverticulitis - can cause a mass that is usually located in the left-lower quadrant.
• Gallbladder tumour - can cause a tender, irregularly shaped mass in the right-upper quadrant.
• Hydronephrosis - can cause a smooth, spongy-feeling mass in one or both flanks.
• Kidney cancer - can sometimes cause a smooth, firm, but not tender mass in the abdomen.
• Liver cancer - can cause a firm, lumpy mass in the right upper quadrant.
• Liver enlargement - can cause a firm, irregular mass below the right rib cage, or on the left side in the stomach area.
• Neuroblastoma - often found in the lower abdomen.
• Ovarian cyst - can cause a smooth, rounded, rubbery mass above the pelvis.
• Pancreatic abscess - can cause a mass in the upper abdomen in the epigastric area.
• Pancreatic pseudocyst - can cause a lumpy mass in the upper abdomen in the epigastric area.
• Pregnancy causes a mass above the pelvis in the lower abdomen that may be mistaken for an illness.
• Splenomegaly - felt in the left-upper quadrant.
• Stomach cancer - can cause a mass in the epigastrium if the cancer is large.
• Uterine leiomyoma - can cause a round, lumpy mass above the pelvis.
• Volvulus - can cause a mass anywhere in the abdomen.
• Ureteropelvic junction obstruction - can cause a mass in the lower abdomen.

Reference

1. Ballard D et al. Imaging of Abdominal Wall Masses, Masslike Lesions, and Diffuse Processes. Radiographics. 2020 Apr 24;40(3):684–706.