Nerve Identification Procedures Are Necessary for Complete Recovery From Recurrent Cases of Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome: A Case Report

Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) involves pain in the abdominal wall due to nerve compression or ischemia. The diagnosis of ACNES is challenging with the pain often inclined to be diagnosed as psychological in origin. A 20-year-old woman presenting with abdominal pain was initially diagnosed with mesenteric lymphadenitis and prescribed pain relievers. However, following worsened pain, she was hospitalized. Blood examinations, abdominal and gynecological ultrasonography, and gastrocolonoscopy yielded no abnormal findings, leading to suspicions of psychological factors. As the patient experienced sharp abdominal pain on movement, but not at rest, which was temporarily relieved by lidocaine injections, she was diagnosed with ACNES. Rectus abdominal resection was performed but the pain relapsed. Laparoscopic surgery was performed to cut the nerve that caused the pain. After three surgeries, the patient was completely symptom-free. ACNES should be considered as a differential diagnosis for intractable abdominal pain. For recurrent relapses, the triggering nerves must be carefully identified for the successful treatment of ACNES.