Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome in a 51-Year-Old Woman With Advanced Colon Cancer, Successfully Treated With Repeated Ultrasound-Guided Rectus Sheath Blocks: A Case Report.
Yoko Shimamoto-Nagahira, Ryuichi Nakanuno
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 51-year-old woman with advanced sigmoid colon cancer presented with severe movement-related abdominal pain unresponsive to high-dose opioids. Despite tumor lesions near the umbilicus, her pain was minimal at rest but worsened with movement. Physical examination indicated anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome, confirmed by localized tenderness and a positive Carnett's sign. Ultrasound-guided rectus sheath blocks provided immediate pain relief, and repeated treatments resulted in sustained pain reduction, improving her mobility and daily activities.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome as a potential cause of abdominal pain in patients with advanced cancer, as it can coexist with malignancy-related pain.
Why it matters
Recognizing and treating non-cancer-related pain mechanisms can significantly enhance functional outcomes and quality of life for patients in palliative care.