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Abdominal wall pain: an alternative diagnosis
1Department of Surgery, University College and Middlesex Hospital, School of Medicine, Rayne Institute, London, UK.
The British Journal of Surgery
|October 1, 1990
Summary
Abdominal pain often originates from the abdominal wall, not just internal organs. This review highlights common but easily missed causes of abdominal wall pain, including nerve entrapment.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pain Medicine
- Surgical Anatomy
Background:
- Abdominal pain is a common symptom with diverse etiologies.
- Causes can be visceral (originating from organs) or somatic (originating from the abdominal wall).
- While some abdominal wall pain sources are evident (e.g., hernias), others are frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review commonly encountered causes of abdominal wall pain.
- To increase awareness of less obvious sources of abdominal wall pain.
- To guide clinicians in diagnosing and managing abdominal wall pain.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of relevant medical publications.
- Synthesis of information on the anatomy and pathology of the abdominal wall.
- Discussion of diagnostic approaches for abdominal wall pain.
Main Results:
- Abdominal wall pain can mimic visceral pain, leading to diagnostic challenges.
- Nerve entrapment syndromes are a significant, often unrecognized, cause of abdominal wall pain.
- Other causes include musculoskeletal issues, hernias, and post-surgical complications.
Conclusions:
- The abdominal wall is a critical, yet frequently overlooked, source of abdominal pain.
- Increased clinical suspicion for abdominal wall pathology is necessary for accurate diagnosis.
- Timely diagnosis and appropriate management of abdominal wall pain can improve patient outcomes.