Abdominal Wall Pain or Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Validation of a Pediatric Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: A questionnaire study demonstrated that some adult patients who were diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were in fact having an abdominal wall pain syndrome, such as anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a pediatric version of this questionnaire was useful in diagnosing abdominal wall pain syndromes in children with chronic abdominal pain (CAP). METHODS: An 18-item questionnaire was tested in 3 groups of children with CAP: group 1, children who underwent surgery for ACNES (n = 42); group 2, children who were found to have ACNES after an outpatient analysis (n = 57); and group 3, children diagnosed with IBS (n = 53). Qualities including internal consistency (Cronbach α), cut-off points and a ROC-curve were calculated using standard statistical analysis. RESULTS: Questionnaire response rates in the three populations of CAP children ranged from 69% to 92%. When comparing ACNES and IBS groups, 17 of 18 questions were discriminative (P < 0.01, Cronbach α 0.74). Total questionnaire scores ranged from 0 (IBS likely) to 17 points (ACNES likely). A median 13-point score (range 8-17) was found in both ACNES groups. In contrast, a median 8-point score was calculated in children with IBS (range 3-13, P < 0.01). Using an 11-point cut-off score, a child with CAP was diagnosed with ACNES with 86% sensitivity and 89% specificity. A ROC curve with an AUC of 0.94 was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: A 17-item questionnaire showed good diagnostic test properties and may aid in distinguishing ACNES from IBS in pediatric populations with chronic abdominal pain.

Diagnostic characteristics of anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome in childhood.

Some children suffering from chronic abdominal pain may have an abdominal wall entity such as anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. This syndrome is largely suspected on a combination of findings at history and physical examination. The aim is to obtain clues in history and physical examinations in a selected population of children with anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. We analyzed all children with abdominal pain visiting our hospital between January 2013 and January 2015. A total of 71 cases were identified (median age 15 years, range 8-17, 77% female). Pain was severe (median 8, range 6-9), stabbing/burning (84%), superficial (88%), aggravated by physical activity (91%), and always in one abdominal area (97%). Hypo-/hyperesthesia (87%) or a positive pinch test (89%) was often found at the skin overlying the painful spot. Increased pain was reported by 97% when the abdominal muscles were tensed (Carnett test). A single anterior rectus sheath block is successful in almost all patients (97%). CONCLUSION: A combination of typical findings in history and physical examination allows for diagnosing childhood ACNES. What is Known: • Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is often overlooked in chronic abdominal pain. • Pediatric literature on diagnostic work up for ACNES is poor. What is New: • Two third reported treatment delay due to misdiagnosis as functional abdominal pain. • Medical history and physical examination revealed neuropathic pain characteristic in up to 90% of the cases.

Anterior rectus sheath blocks in children with abdominal wall pain due to anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome: a prospective case series of 85 children.

BACKGROUND: Chronic abdominal pain in children may be caused by the anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. Local nerve blocks are recommended as an initial treatment in adults. Evidence on effectiveness and safety of such a treatment in children is lacking. AIM: Our aim was to study outcome and adverse events of anterior rectus sheath blocks in childhood anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. METHODS: Patients <18 years of age receiving anterior rectus sheath blocks were prospectively followed. Injections were administered using a free-hand technique in the outpatient department. RESULTS: A total of 85 children were included (median age 15 years, range 8-17, 76% female). Eighty-three children reported immediate pain relief following a single lidocaine block and 13 achieved long-term success. Another 19 children was successfully treated with additional blocks combined with steroids. A total 38% success ratio was attained after a median 17-month follow-up (range, 4-39). Pain intensity and diagnostic delay were not associated with a beneficial outcome. However, young age predicted success. An infrequently occurring adverse event was temporarily increased pain some 6 h post injection. CONCLUSION: Anterior rectus sheath blocks using local anesthetics and steroids are safe and long-term successful in more than one-third of children suffering from abdominal pain due to anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome.

Anterior neurectomy in children with a recalcitrant anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome is safe and successful.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is a relatively unknown cause of severe neuralgic abdominal pain. Treatment includes medication, local nerve blocks or, if unresponsive, a neurectomy of nerve endings. In children, the outcome of neurectomy for ACNES is scantly described in retrospective studies. The objective of this first prospective study was to investigate the safety and short term success rate of anterior neurectomy in a large pediatric population with ACNES. METHODS: All children <18years with failed non-surgical treatments for ACNES who underwent an anterior neurectomy in a pediatric surgical referral center between March 2012 and June 2015 were prospectively followed. Patients with previous ACNES surgery were excluded. Primary outcome measures were pain relief and adverse events. RESULTS: 60 children were included (80% female, mean age 15years±2 SD). 75% had right lower abdominal pain. At first follow-up, 47 children were free of pain (78% success rate). Complications other than an occasional local hematoma were not reported. Outcome was not related to demographics, preoperative pain intensity, pain duration or localization. CONCLUSION: Anterior neurectomy is safe and successful in most children with abdominal pain failing a conservative treatment for ACNES. TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Prevalence of Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome in a Pediatric Population With Chronic Abdominal Pain.

OBJECTIVE: Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is a frequently overlooked condition causing chronic abdominal pain (CAP). The objective of the present study was to investigate the rate of ACNES in a pediatric outpatient cohort with CAP. METHODS: A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted in a population 10 to 18 years of age consulting a pediatric outpatient department with new-onset CAP during a 2 years' time period. All individuals were identified through a standard hospital registration system. History, physical examination, diagnosis, and success of treatment were obtained in patients who were diagnosed as having ACNES. RESULTS: Twelve of 95 adolescents with CAP were found to be experiencing ACNES. Carnett sign was positive at the lateral border of the rectus abdominus muscle in all 12. Altered skin sensation was present in 11 of 12 patients with ACNES. Six weeks after treatment (1-3 injections, n = 5; neurectomy, n = 7), pain was absent in 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: ACNES is present in 1 of 8 adolescents presenting with CAP to a pediatric outpatient department of a teaching hospital. Simple physical examinational testing allows for the diagnosis. Treatments including nerve blocks or surgery are beneficial in most.