The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (대한통증학회)
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Treatment Experiences of Abdominal Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome -A report of 3 cases-

복부 피신경 포착 증후군 환자의 치료경험 -증례보고-

  • Rhee, Ho Dong (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Eun Young (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Bahn (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Won Oak (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Yoon, Duck Mi (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Yoon, Kyung Bong (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
  • 이호동 (연세대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 박은영 (연세대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 이반 (연세대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 김원옥 (연세대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 윤덕미 (연세대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 윤경봉 (연세대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실)
  • Received : 2006.08.28
  • Accepted : 2006.12.04
  • Published : 2006.12.30
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Abstract

The diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain due to abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment can be elusive. Tenderness in patients with abdominal pain is naturally assumed to be of either peritoneal or visceral origin. Studies have shown that some patients suffer from prolonged pain in the abdominal wall and are often misdiagnosed, even after unnecessary and expensive diagnostic tests, including potentially dangerous invasive procedures, and treated as having a visceral source for their complaints, even in the presence of negative X-ray findings and atypical symptoms. Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome is rarely diagnosed, which is possibly due to failure to recognize the condition rather than the lack of occurrence. The accepted treatment for abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome is a local injection, with infiltration of anesthetic agents coupled with steroids. Careful history taking and physical examination, in conjunction with the use of trigger zone injections, can advocate the diagnosis of abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment and preclude any unnecessary workup of these patients. Herein, 3 cases of abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome, which were successfully treated with local anesthetics and steroid, are reported.

Keywords

References

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