Abstract
Background
Despite the broad differential diagnosis in any patient referring with symptoms involving
the chest or abdomen, a small number of conditions overshadow the rest by their probability.
Chest and abdominal wall pain continues to constitute a common and expensive overlooked
source of pain of unknown cause. In particular, cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome
is commonly encountered but not easily diagnosed unless its specific symptoms are
sought and the precise physical examination undertaken.
Case Report
A primigravida woman with unbearable abdominal pain was referred repeatedly seeking
a solution for her suffering. Numerous laboratory and imaging studies were employed
in order to elucidate the cause of her condition. After numerous visits and unnecessary
delay, the diagnosis was finally made by a physician fully versed in the field of
torso wall pain. The focused physical examination disclosed abdominal cutaneous nerve
entrapment syndrome as the diagnosis, and anesthetic infiltration led to immediate
alleviation of her pain.
Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?
Cutaneous nerve entrapment is a common cause of abdominal pain that is reached on
the basis of thorough history and physical examination alone. Knowledge dissemination
of the various torso wall syndromes is imperative for prompt delivery of suitable
care. All emergency physicians should be fully aware of this entity because the diagnosis
is based solely on physical examination, and immediate relief can be provided in the
framework of the first visit. Wider recognition of this syndrome will promise that
such mishaps are not repeated in the future.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 27, 2018
Accepted:
January 25,
2018
Received in revised form:
December 4,
2017
Received:
June 29,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
