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GIRDLE PAIN

GIRDLE PAIN: Excerpt from Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs

Ask the Following Questions:

  1. Is there an associated rash? Presence of a rash, whether it is macular or vesicular, especially if it is in a dermatomal distribution, would suggest herpes zoster. Occasionally, herpes zoster occurs without a rash and should still be considered in the differential diagnosis.
  2. Are there pyramidal tract or other long tract signs? The findings of long tract signs would indicate compression, degeneration, or inflammation of the spinal cord, and conditions such as multiple sclerosis, acute transverse myelitis, spinal cord tumor, herniated disk, and pernicious anemia should be considered. If there are no long tract signs and no rash, one should consider early spinal cord tumor or herniated disk, intercostal neuralgia, fractured ribs, and sometimes a compression fracture of the vertebra.

DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP

Patients with a rash, particularly if it is vesicular and in a dermatomal distribution, may be treated for herpes zoster before doing an extensive diagnostic workup. However, one should remember that herpes zoster may be associated with an underlying neoplasm, particularly Hodgkin's disease.

If a patient does not have a rash, routine laboratory tests include a CBC, chemistry panel, sedimentation rate, VDRL test, serum B 12 , and folic acid. In addition, x-rays of the chest, ribs, and thoracic spine should be done. If these are normal and the diagnosis remains in doubt, one should consult a neurologist. If none is available, MRI of the thoracic spine may be ordered. A spinal tap may be done to help rule out multiple sclerosis and tabes dorsalis. SSEP studies can be done to diagnose multiple sclerosis. A thoracic myelogram is occasionally necessary in confusing cases.

 

Book Source Details

  • Book Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
  • Author(s): R. Douglas Collins
  • Year of Publication: 2003
  • Copyright Details: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, Copyright © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

More About Chronic pain

More Medical Textbooks Online about Chronic pain

Review other book chapters online related to Chronic pain:

Medical Books Excerpts
  • GIRDLE PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • BACK PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • BREAST PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • CHEST PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • EYE PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • FACE PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • FLANK PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • HEEL PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • HIP PAIN
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • Back Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Chest Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Hip Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Knee Pain
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • ARM PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • EYE PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • HIP PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • Arm pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Back pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Chest pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Eye pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Flank pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Leg pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Neck pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Rectal pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Throat pain
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • Back Pain
  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
  • Chest Pain
  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
  • Arm pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Back pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Chest pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Facial pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Flank pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Leg Pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Neck pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Rectal pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Throat pain
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • Scrotal Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Chest Pain, Atypical
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Low Back Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Abdominal Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Calf Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Chronic Pelvic Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Hip Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Knee Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Neck Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Pleuritic Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Shoulder Pain
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • Eye Pain
  • "Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis" (2007)
  • Abdominal pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Back pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Chest pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Eye pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Flank pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Neck pain
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • Arm pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Back pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Breast pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Chest pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Eye pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Facial pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Flank pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Leg pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Neck pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Rectal pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Throat pain
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • Abdominal Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • Back Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • Chest Pain
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • Arm pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Back pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Chest pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Flank pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Jaw pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Leg pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • Neck pain
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • ARM PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • EYE PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • HIP PAIN
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
 

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.




More About This Book:
Title: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs
Authors: R. Douglas Collins
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright: 2003
ISBN: 0-7817-3805-9

 » Next page: PERINEUM PAIN (Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)

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