Syndrome of the rectus abdominis muscle: A peripheral neurological condition causing abdominal diagnostic problems

Four cases of a painful abdominal syndrome are presented, the pain occurring in the distribution of the medial cutaneous branch of the 7th--12th intercostal nerves. The diagnosis presents difficulties because of severe abdominal pain. In 2 cases the clinical observations were corroborated by EMG findings. The symptoms, physical manifestations, mode of development and therapy are described. The term proposed for the condition is: Syndrome of the Rectus Abdominis Muscle.