What causes pain under the left rib cage?
Apr 01, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
1. Liver diseases—such as acute or chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma—can all cause pain beneath the ribs.
2. Cholecystitis and cholelithiasis: The gallbladder and bile ducts are located in the region surrounding the ribs; thus, gallbladder-related disorders—including gallstones, cholecystitis, biliary obstruction, and gallbladder tumors—may manifest as pain in this area.
3. Intercostal neuralgia: A syndrome characterized by band-like pain affecting the intercostal regions of the chest or the abdomen.
Numerous vital organs lie beneath the left ribs. Pain in this region may indicate underlying pathology and warrants prompt medical evaluation to determine the cause. Below, we address the question: “What causes pain beneath the left ribs?”
What Causes Pain Beneath the Left Ribs?
Several conditions may lead to pain beneath the left ribs:
1. Liver disease: Conditions such as acute or chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma can cause pain beneath the ribs. Although the liver is predominantly located in the right upper abdomen, its left lobe extends into the left upper quadrant. Liver inflammation or enlargement may stretch the Glisson’s capsule (liver capsule), resulting in pain that radiates to the left subcostal region. Hepatitis B patients experiencing left subcostal pain should seek timely evaluation and treatment.
2. Gallbladder disorders: The gallbladder and biliary ducts lie near the rib cage. Thus, conditions including cholecystitis, gallstones, biliary obstruction, or gallbladder tumors may cause pain in the left upper abdomen—though more commonly in the right upper quadrant, referred pain may occasionally manifest on the left.
3. Intercostal neuralgia: Damage to the intercostal nerves from various causes may produce a band-like, sharp, or burning pain along the chest wall or upper abdomen.
4. Gastritis: Gastric pain may sometimes radiate to adjacent areas, producing discomfort beneath the left ribs. Diagnostic evaluation—including barium meal studies or gastroscopy—may be warranted.
If you experience persistent pain beneath the left ribs, consult a healthcare provider for appropriate diagnostic testing. Should initial investigations fail to identify a clear cause, further comprehensive evaluation—including liver function tests and assessment for hepatitis B virus infection—should be performed per your physician’s recommendation, followed by targeted treatment.
The above outlines potential causes of left subcostal pain. We hope this information is helpful to you.
