[ILIOHYPOGASTRIC NERVE ENTRAPMENT IN A CHILD - A RARE CAUSE FOR CHRONIC ABDOMINAL AND PELVIC PAIN IN CHILDREN]

Entrapment of the iliohypogastric nerve is a rare cause of abdominal pain in children. We present a case report of a 12 year old girl with abdominal pain following a fall accompanied by nausea, vomiting and odynuria. Thorough investigation was normal and a non-organic cause was proposed. With no lasting improvement after local analgesic infiltration, a surgical attempt to disconnect sensory innervation was conducted but pain continued. A second surgical exploration was performed. A tear of the external oblique aponeurosis was found, entrapping terminal branches of the iliohypogastric nerve. A complete clinical resolution followed resection of the nerve and repair of the aponeurosis tear. Entrapment of abdominal cutaneous nerves should be considered in cases with chronic abdominal pain accompanied by localized tenderness and various visceral complaints. Normal laboratory and imaging findings are typical.