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Top APC, de Leeuw TG, Bramer WM, de Mol BCM, Huygen FJPM, Dirckx M. How Do We Treat Children with Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome and Is the Biopsychosocial Model Also Being Applied? A Scoping Review. Pain Res Manag 2024; 2024:6813025. [PMID: 38318481 PMCID: PMC10843870 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6813025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Background Evidence-based guidelines for managing anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) in children are absent. The primary aim of this review was to scrutinize the evidence supporting currently used treatment interventions. In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for managing chronic pain in children, these patients and their families and caregivers should be treated within the context of the biopsychosocial model; pain should not be treated purely as a biomedical problem. Therefore, our second aim was to evaluate whether these interventions are applied within the context of the biopsychosocial model, utilizing an inter- or multidisciplinary approach. Materials and Methods A scoping review of the literature was conducted to explore treatment strategies for ACNES in children. To ensure a comprehensive overview of published literature on this topic, the search was not restricted based on study type. Two reviewers independently assessed titles and abstracts. After excluding records unrelated to children, full texts were screened for inclusion. Any discrepancies in judgement were resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. Results Out of 35 relevant titles, 22 were included in this review. Only 4 articles provided information on long-term outcomes. The overall quality of the review was deemed low. The majority of reports did not address treatment or education within the psychological and social domains. A structural qualitative analysis was not feasible due to the substantial heterogeneity of the data. Conclusion The evidence supporting current treatment strategies in children with ACNES is of low quality. More research is needed to establish an evidence-based treatment algorithm for patients with this challenging pain problem. In line with the WHO recommendation, greater emphasis should be placed on a biopsychosocial approach. The ultimate goal should be the development of a generic treatment algorithm outlining an approach to ACNES applicable to all professionals involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke P. C. Top
- Department of Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, University Hospital Amsterdam, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Thomas G. de Leeuw
- Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Center for Pain Medicine, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Wichor M. Bramer
- Medical Library, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bernadette C. M. de Mol
- Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Center for Pain Medicine, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Frank J. P. M. Huygen
- Center for Pain Medicine, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maaike Dirckx
- Center for Pain Medicine, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Otsuka Y, Ishizuka K, Harada Y, Harada T, Shikino K, Shiraishi Y, Watari T. Three Subtypes of Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome: A Narrative Review. Intern Med 2024:2927-23. [PMID: 38220195 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2927-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Anterior, lateral, and posterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndromes have been proposed as etiologies of trunk pain. However, while these syndromes are analogous, comprehensive reports contrasting the three subtypes are lacking. We therefore reviewed the literature on anterior, lateral, and posterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. We searched the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases twice for relevant articles published between March and September 2022. In addition to 16 letters, technical reports, and review articles, a further 62, 6, and 3 articles concerning anterior, lateral, and posterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndromes, respectively, were included. These syndromes are usually diagnosed based solely on unique history and examination findings; however, the diagnostic process may be prolonged, and multiple re-evaluations are required. The most common first-line treatment is trigger point injection; however, the management of refractory cases remains unclear. Awareness of this disease should be expanded to medical departments other than general medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Otsuka
- Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Japan
| | - Kosuke Ishizuka
- Department of General Medicine, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yukinori Harada
- Department of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Japan
| | - Taku Harada
- Division of General Medicine, Nerima Hikarigaoka Hospital, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Shikino
- Department of General Medicine, Chiba University Hospital, Japan
| | | | - Takashi Watari
- General Medicine Center, Shimane University Hospital, Japan
- Department of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, USA
- Division of Hospital Medicine, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, USA
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Server A, Sánchez V, Mesas Á, Medel J. Pulsed radiofrequency in a paediatric patient with disabling ACNES. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ANESTESIOLOGIA Y REANIMACION 2023; 70:395-398. [PMID: 36940851 DOI: 10.1016/j.redare.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Chronic abdominal pain is a highly prevalent entity in the paediatric population and represents a diagnostic challenge for professionals. It is frequently underdiagnosed, and must be treated by a multidisciplinary team after a detailed clinical evaluation has been performed to rule out other pathologies. Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) occurs when the anterior cutaneous abdominal nerves become pinched or trapped, causing intense, unilateral, circumscribed abdominal pain. Patients often present a positive Pinch test or Carnett's sign. A stepwise therapeutic approach should be used, reserving the most invasive techniques for patients with refractory ACNES. Among the many different treatments available, local anaesthesia infiltration has shown a high success rate, and surgery should only be performed in the most refractory cases. We report the case of an 11-year old girl with a 6-month history of ACNES that severely affected her quality of life, who responded well to pulsed radiofrequency ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Server
- Servicio de Anestesiología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - V Sánchez
- Servicio de Anestesiología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Á Mesas
- Servicio de Anestesiología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Medel
- Servicio de Anestesiología, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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The role of a simple questionnaire predicting treatment success in children with ACNES. Hernia 2023; 27:15-20. [PMID: 36482227 DOI: 10.1007/s10029-022-02721-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some children with chronic abdominal wall pain or groin pain do not have an inguinal hernia but suffer from anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES). Diagnosing ACNES is challenging, especially in children as a diagnostic gold standard is lacking. A paediatric questionnaire containing 17 simple items was earlier found to discriminate between abdominal pain due or ACNES or IBS. Scores range from 0 points (ACNES very unlikely) to 17 points (ACNES very likely). The present study investigates whether this 17-item questionnaire predicted treatment success in children receiving therapy for ACNES. METHODS Children < 18 years who presented in a single institute between February 2016 and October 2021 with symptoms and signs suggestive of ACNES completed the questionnaire before intake and treatment. Treatment success after 6-8 weeks was defined as self-reported 'pain-free' (group 1), ' > 50% less pain' (group 2) and ' < 50% less pain' (group 3). Group differences regarding sex, age, BMI, symptoms duration and questionnaire scores were analysed. RESULTS Data of 145 children (female 78%, mean age 14.7 ± 2.3 years, mean BMI 21.1 ± 3.9) were analysed. All children received a diagnostic trigger point injection using an anaesthetic agent, and 75.5% underwent subsequent surgery for untractable pain. The three groups were comparable regarding sex distribution, age, BMI and symptoms duration. In addition, questionnaire scores were not different (group 1: n = 89, mean score 13.4 ± 2.7, group 2: n = 24, 13.4 ± 2.3 and group 3: n = 32, 13.0 ± 2.7, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Treatment success was attained in 78% of children undergoing surgery for ACNES. A simple questionnaire scoring items associated with abdominal pain did not predict treatment success.
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Surgical Treatment of Abdominal Wall Neuromas. PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY-GLOBAL OPEN 2021; 9:e3585. [PMID: 34046291 PMCID: PMC8143781 DOI: 10.1097/gox.0000000000003585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuromas are an under-recognized contributor to chronic abdominal pain. Other than after mesh inguinal hernia repair, surgical management of painful abdominal wall neuromas has not been well established in the literature.
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Surgical Management of Abdominal Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome: Case Report, Surgical Technique, and Literature Review. PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY-GLOBAL OPEN 2021; 9:e3453. [PMID: 33786258 PMCID: PMC7997119 DOI: 10.1097/gox.0000000000003453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Abdominal anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is an emerging diagnosis, with estimated incidence of 13%–30% of the adult population. It is a syndrome characterized by chronic abdominal pain caused by entrapment of cutaneous branches of thoracoabdominal nerves at the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle. If conservative treatment with pain medication, botulinum toxin, or lidocaine injections is inadequate, surgical management is indicated. Methods: We present a case of a 40-year-old woman presenting with a 1-year history of daily right anterior abdominal wall pain, consistent with a diagnosis of ACNES. We describe our approach for an anterior neurectomy of the intercostal nerve with closure of its fascial foramen. Results: Three months after surgery, she remained pain free and was back to work full time. At a 13-month follow-up, the patient reported that her pain had resolved completely following surgery. Conclusions: Results are encouraging following anterior neurectomy for ACNES. Surgical descriptions in the literature are brief, with limited pictorial account. Our detailed surgical approach is provided along with a review of the existing literature on the management of ACNES.
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Markus J, Sibbing IC, Ket JCF, de Jong JR, de Beer SA, Gorter RR. Treatment strategies for anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome in children: A systematic review. J Pediatr Surg 2021; 56:605-613. [PMID: 32553455 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2020.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is a frequently overlooked cause of chronic abdominal pain in children. Currently, both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options are available to treat this disease. The objective was to give insight into the success rate of different treatment strategies for children with ACNES, and provide treatment recommendations for physicians based on the published evidence. METHOD A literature search of PubMed, Embase.com and the Wiley/Cochrane Library was conducted for studies published up to 25 February 2020. Randomized controlled trials, prospective or retrospective cohort studies, meta-analyses and literature reviews describing the outcome of different treatment strategies for children (<18 years old) with ACNES with a follow-up duration of at least four weeks were included. RESULTS Six studies, involving 224 patients, were included with an overall quality reported to be between fair and poor. Treatment success of local injections with an anesthetic agent into the trigger point ranged from 38% to 87% with a follow-up ranging from 4 weeks to 39 months. In addition, treatment success of anterior neurectomy ranged from 86% to 100%, with a follow-up duration ranging from 4 weeks to 36 months. CONCLUSION A step-up treatment strategy should be applied when treating pediatric patients with ACNES. This strategy starts with an injection with a local anesthetic agent, reserving surgery (anterior neurectomy) as a viable option in case of persistent pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper Markus
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Iris C Sibbing
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Justin R de Jong
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd A de Beer
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ramon R Gorter
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Markus J, van Montfoort M, de Jong JR, de Beer SA, Aronica EMA, Gorter RR. Histopathologic examination of resected nerves from children with anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome: Clues for pathogenesis? J Pediatr Surg 2020; 55:2783-2786. [PMID: 32156426 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2020.01.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) has been described as a possible cause for chronic pain in the pediatric population. However, the exact pathophysiology of ACNES is unknown. It may be caused by compression or traction of cutaneous nerve branches of intercostal nerves, or it may be the result of an infection. Therefore, we present histopathological evidence to determine the pathophysiology of ACNES. METHODS A total of seven pediatric patients underwent a neurectomy for ACNES. All specimens were sent for histopathological evaluation, including immunohistochemical staining, to evaluate if there were any signs of infection, inflammation or compression. RESULTS Seven out of seven (100%) histopathological specimens showed non-specific nerve degeneration. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed there were several CD68-positive macrophages present in the specimens. Four out of seven (57%) specimens showed the presence of a few CD3-positive T-cells, however, this was not suggestive for inflammation or infection. CONCLUSION Our study supports the hypothesis that ACNES is caused by compression of the nerves rather than inflammation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper Markus
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Maurits van Montfoort
- Department of Neuropathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Justin R de Jong
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd A de Beer
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora M A Aronica
- Department of Neuropathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ramon R Gorter
- Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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The technique of cutaneous neurectomy for anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. J Pediatr Surg 2020; 55:1142-1144. [PMID: 32151399 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2020.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is increasingly diagnosed in children. Pediatric surgeons may be approached to perform a cutaneous neurectomy, the preferred operative approach, and may have no experience with the procedure. This report provides a detailed description of the operative technique used by a pediatric surgeon who has performed over 70 neurectomies for ACNES. Dissemination of this simple procedure will hopefully allow children with ACNES to undergo the procedure locally.
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A forgotten cause of chronic abdominal pain in children: anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. PEDIATRU.RO 2020. [DOI: 10.26416/pedi.59.3.2020.3897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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