[Intercostal nerve syndrome]

The intercostal nerve syndrome is caused by an impingement of the intercostals nerve at the level of the anterior rectus sheath. It may lead to acute or chronic abdominal pain, it should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of the acute or chronic abdomen. A positive Carnett-test and an effective local anaesthesia at the point of maximal tenderness allow the correct diagnosis. In our retrospective study 14 patients with 15 entrapment syndromes are described. If, sometimes after a few diagnostic and therapeutic detours, the diagnosis is established, surgical intervention with resection of the altered nerve at it's exit of the anterior rectus sheath can usually abolish the pain with little side effects.