Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome Presenting as Chronic Abdominal Pain

Abstract

Abdominal pain is one of the most common chief complaints that patients present with to healthcare facilities across specialties. Unfortunately for clinicians, the differential diagnosis for abdominal pain is vast. Abdominal pain can be broken down into two broad categories: visceral and non-visceral causes. One of the most common causes of non-visceral abdominal pain is anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES). This report describes the case of a formerly active male in his 20s, who has been suffering from chronic abdominal pain for half of his life. Because of the broad differential and the overall lack of familiarity with ACNES, many patients face prolonged suffering and the psychological anguish of uncertainty. This report seeks to illuminate the importance of considering ACNES in a patient with chronic abdominal pain.

Keywords: abdominal wall pain; anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome; chronic abdominal pain; interventional pain medicine; non-specific abdominal pain; spinal cord stimulation (scs).