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Published on: 5/6/2025

What Could Cause a Bulge in the Epigastric Region?

A bulge in the epigastric region can be caused by several conditions, including hernias, infections such as vascular anomalies, or benign masses like lipomas or cysts. In rare case, it could be caused by tuberculosis affecting the xiphisternum.

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Explanation

When you notice a bulge in the epigastric region (the upper central part of the abdomen just below the sternum), there are several potential causes to consider:

  • Epigastric Hernia: This occurs when a portion of tissue or fat protrudes through a weakness in the abdominal wall. It is a common cause of a localized bulge in the epigastric area.
  • Infectious or Inflammatory Processes: In rare cases, infections such as tuberculosis can affect the xiphisternum (the area around the lower end of the sternum) and lead to swelling. One case report described epigastric swelling due to xiphisternal tuberculosis, highlighting how infections can mimic other conditions.
  • Vascular Anomalies: A tender, pulsatile mass in the epigastric region might raise concern for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, but sometimes other vascular issues can cause similar findings without representing a true aneurysm.
  • Other Benign Masses: Soft tissue tumors like lipomas (benign fatty tumors) or cysts in the abdominal wall may also present as a bulge in this area.

Given the wide range of possibilities—from hernias and infections to vascular or benign tumors—further evaluation using physical examination and imaging studies (such as ultrasound or CT scan) is usually necessary to determine the exact cause and to decide on the appropriate management or treatment.

(References)

  • Grover SB, Arora S, Kumar A, Grover H, Katyan A, Nair DM. "Caught by the Eye of Sound" - Epigastric Swelling due to Xiphisternal Tuberculosis. Pol J Radiol. 2017 Jan 27;82:41-45. doi: 10.12659/PJR.899329. PMID: 28217237; PMCID: PMC5292989.

  • Moussa O, Al Samaraee A, Ray R, Nice C, Bhattacharya V. A Tender Pulsatile Epigastric Mass is NOT Always an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Case Report and Review of Literature. J Radiol Case Rep. 2010;4(10):26-31. doi: 10.3941/jrcr.v4i10.458. Epub 2010 Oct 1. PMID: 22470694; PMCID: PMC3303349.

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK420/

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