Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is one of the most frequent causes of chronic abdominal wall pain. The diagnosis is suspected based on history and physical examination. Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) may sound like an esoteric condition rarely seen by clinicians but is a common condition.

Context Explanation

When a patient is seen for abdominal pain without other clinically significant symptoms, ACNES should be high on the list of likely diagnoses. Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES) represents a distinct and often misunderstood chronic pain condition affecting the abdominal wall. Definition: Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is an under recognized cause of chronic abdominal pain. It results when the cutaneous branches of the lower intercostal nerves become entrapped in the lateral border of the rectus muscle.

Insight Material

Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES) is a condition in which one or more nerves become entrapped by the abdominal wall. The resulting symptom is most commonly chronic abdominal wall pain. The most common cause of abdominal wall pain is anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome, or ACNES. What is ACNES syndrome, and how do we diagnose and treat it? ACNES most commonly affects young women (75%) but can occur at any age, also in children.

Final Conclusion

History of trauma, pregnancy and delivery or abdominal surgery is sometimes present. Patients present with sharp stabbing pain emanating from the anterior abdominal wall. Presentation can be acute or chronic. Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is a nerve entrapment condition that causes chronic pain of the abdominal wall. [1] .