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What Causes Shoulder Pain With Swelling Above Left Collar Bone?

Posted on Wed, 20 Aug 2014

Question: I have had a mammogram lately that came out abonormal. Upon examining myself I found my left rib cage larger than my right. Underneath I found a small rash. The doctor said it was the beginning of shingles. I began to take meds, rash did not hurt, did not get larger just numb under my left rib cage. I made an appointment with my obgyn to check swollen ribs. She found a lump one my left side about even- 2 fingers up from my belly button- but on my left side quadrant area. She scheduled a ultasound. The Technition said it was in spleen /kidney region-won't get results for a weak. I am scared. I also have swelling above my left collar bone and lots of pain in my shoulder, neck and back. No pain in rib cage or side. I have been diagnosed with 4 bulging disc in my cervical spine and last Thursday had pain management steroid injections.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Many pathology may be related to spleen & Kidney.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX
Thanks for writing to HCM

Sorry to know about your chronic illness.
I can't understand the reason behind delay in delivering USG report.You can request for early reports so that exact problem can be diagnosed and treat accordingly.There may be many pathology related to spleen and left kidney.Exact cause of swelling can only be assessed by clinical examination and investigation reports.

Swelling above the left collar bone should be assessed properly.It may be enlarged lymph node.However other causes should be excluded also.

You have rightly received steroid injections for disc prolapse.It take time for full action of steriod injections.Till full action,you can take oral analgesics.
Prolapse disc should tried to manage conservatively.Surgery should be the last option.

You didn't give details of mammography findings so that we can discuss in detail.

You should continue medicines for shingles.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (4 hours later)

Can all these symptoms be related? Shoulder, neck, arm pain, swelling around collar bone, enlarged rib cage, mass or lump on side near left ribs in upper quadrant migraines, and shingles rash.
Everything is on left side. Do I have reason to be concerned? Please help. What could I tell them to get quicker report of ultrasound?
Here are the results of mammogram Impression: architectural distortion centaur XXXXXXX in left breast on the MLO projection
Would recommend spot compression and rolled views for further assessment.
MRI Of neck. impression: multilevel degerative changes in cervical spine which have progressed since comparison from May 2012. Neural forearm narrowing is present at C4-5, C 5-6, and C6-7 on current study/mild stenosis is seen at C6-7. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detail answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX
Thanks for writing to HCM

Shoulder,neck and arm pain is due to degenerative changes in cervical spine.Neural foramen narrowing is causing symptoms to you.

Shingle rash is due to viral infection.

Swelling around collar bone,enlarged rib cage,mass or lump in left side should be clinically examined and need investigation.Ultrasound will be helpful in diagnosis.

Architectural distortion in mammography refers to tethering or indentation of breast tissue.It may be due to breast carcinoma,fat necrosis,trauma,infection etc.You are rightly advised for detail evaluation by spot compression.Ultrasonography is also useful in this case.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari