Pain upon percussion in the lower back could be an indication of which condition?

Pain upon percussion in the lower back is often associated with conditions affecting the kidneys, particularly upper urinary tract infections, also known as pyelonephritis. This pain occurs because percussion in the lower back area can elicit discomfort when there is inflammation or irritation in the kidney region. In this case, the presence of an infection in the upper urinary tract can lead to swelling and irritation of the renal capsule, making the area sensitive to percussion.

This type of pain is typically referred to as "costovertebral angle tenderness" and is a classic finding when assessing for potential renal issues. When a healthcare provider performs this test, a positive response may indicate that further evaluation is needed for possible kidney infection or other renal pathology.

Other conditions listed, such as bladder infections and prostate enlargement, typically present with different types of symptoms, including abdominal pain, urinary frequency and urgency, or obstructive voiding symptoms. Kidney failure may lead to various systemic signs but is less specifically indicated by local back pain on percussion. Thus, upper urinary tract infection is the most relevant condition connected to pain upon percussion in the lower back.