ISSN:
1573-2568
Keywords:
chronic abdominal wall pain
;
visceral causes of CAWP
;
anesthetic-corticosteroid injection
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Chronic abdominal wall pain (CAWP) is common and frequently mistaken for visceral pain. We determined the stability of this diagnosis with Main Outcome Measures of: (a) change of pain intensity after local anesthetic-corticosteroid injection, (b) pain relief after three or more months follow-up, and (c) costs of diagnostic procedures for visceral causes of abdominal pain in patients with confirmed CAWP. Seventy-nine patients fulfilled tentative criteria for CAWP; 72 (91%) experienced ≥50% pain relief with anesthetic injection and were followed for at least three months (mean=13.8 months). Abdominal pain in four patients was later diagnosed as caused by visceral disease. CAWP was confirmed in 56 of remaining 68 patients; 12 of 19 patients with recurrent pain were unavailable for re-injection of anesthetic. Thirty patients with confirmed CAWP had had diagnostic procedures to exclude visceral disease costing almost $700 per patient. CAWP is usually easily identified and treated; greater awareness should minimize misdiagnosis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02088128
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