Pregnancy-Related Abdominal Wall Neuropathy

Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation

Description

Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome(ACNES) is a hitherto unrecognised and undertreated cause of abdominal pain in pregnancy.This syndrome is characterized by the entrapment of the cutaneous branches of the lower thoracoabdominal intercostal nerves at the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle, which causes severe, often refractory, chronic pain. This case report aims to identify the possible therapeutic strategies for the management of the syndrome. A 36-year-old woman at a 28-week gestation presented with a recurrence of pinpoint left upper abdominal wall pain. She had been diagnosed with an anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) during her first pregnancy at a similar gestational age, It was made worse in a seated position and relieved somewhat when standing or supine. The pain during that pregnancy resolved immediately and completely following normal spontaneous vaginal delivery, however,the pain was worse with this presenting pregnancy. Normal laboratory findings with no indication of inflammation or infection, and in the absence of any surgical cause of pain She underwent an ultrasoundguided the area around the responsible nerve in the rectus sheath nerve block with 5 mL of 1% lidocaine and 8 mg dexamethasone. The injection relieved her pain immediately and completely, thus confirming the diagnosis of ACNES. Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome is an under-recognised and underdiagnosed cause of abdominalwall pain with pregnancy as an established risk factor. This case demonstrates ACNES with pregnancy being primary aetiology due to mechanical changes of the gravid abdominal wall.. .. .. .
Period29 Mar 2023
Event titleRSU International Research Conference 2023: Knowledge for Use in Practice
Event typeConference
OrganiserRīga Stradiņš University
LocationRiga, LatviaShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational

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