Will a CAT Scan Always Show Diastasis Recti?

Evaluation from a gereral surgeon will help decide.  He/she may order more imaging tests.  You could also have a hernia. 

Without a full examination, there can only be conjecture. However, given your symptoms and descriptions of the physical signs, it appears that you may have a ventral hernia. The symptoms and signs are often evident and exacerbated in a sitting or standing position versus lying down. This could also be one of the reasons why your CT scan was interpreted as negative.

You should be evaluated by a general surgeon or plastic surgeon who could address this issue.

Your symptoms are classic for a small umbilical or ventral hernia. Pain which worsens on standing or sitting and especially when straining and which gets better when lying on your back with or without a palpable knot IS a hernia unless proven otherwise. What you need is NOT a referral to a GI physician but to a General Surgeon. Surgeons are very good at examining the abdomen more than other specialties and can repair such defects.

Good Luck.

Dr. Peter Aldea

Obviously without evaluating you it is very difficult to tell what is going on.  It is quite possible to have a small hernia that pops in and out and may not be visible when you are lying down.  Evaluation by a general surgeon, or your internist is probably a good way to start.

An evaluation by a gastroenterologist may be a good start. You may also want to see a general surgeon since it is possible that the knot you feel may be an incarcerated hernia. CT scans don;t always pick these up.

A hernia is not always detected by CT, and like others have said, there can be many causes of abdominal pain. You should see a general surgeon and possibly a GI doctor for evaluation.

A hernia can be a source of pain along with a whole host of intraabdominal problems.  Usually a rectus diastasis is asymptomatic.  Keep searching for a deeper source before settling on RD.