Which disease is commonly associated with RUQ pain?

• A. Pancreatitis
• B. Cholecystitis
• C. Appendicitis
• D. Diverticulitis

Answer: (B)

Right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain is commonly associated with cholecystitis, which is the inflammation of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is located in the RUQ of the abdomen, and inflammation or obstruction—often due to gallstones—can lead to intense pain in this area. Patients typically present with symptoms that can include epigastric or RUQ pain that might radiate to the right shoulder or scapula, nausea, and vomiting. The diagnosis may be supported by physical examination findings, imaging studies like ultrasound, or elevated liver function tests.

The other conditions mentioned typically present with different pain locations. For instance, pancreatitis generally presents with upper abdominal pain that may radiate to the back, while appendicitis usually causes pain in the right lower quadrant. Diverticulitis is often associated with pain in the left lower quadrant due to inflammation of the diverticula primarily found on the left side of the colon. Understanding the anatomical locations and pathological processes helps in recognizing which conditions correlate with specific areas of abdominal pain.