Difficult differentiation of a somatic symptom disorder from anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES): a case report

BMC Psychiatry. 2019 Dec 12;19(1):394. doi: 10.1186/s12888-019-2390-2.

Abstract

Background: Somatization is regarded as psychological or emotional distress in the form of physical symptoms that are otherwise medically unexplained.

Case presentation: We report a case of a patient with a somatic symptom disorder (SSD) and depression who was later diagnosed with anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) when Carnett's test was positive and block anesthesia using trigger point injections dramatically improved the symptom of abdominal pain.

Conclusion: We concluded that the differentiation of SSDs, such as psychogenic pain, from ACNES is very difficult. Psychiatrists should be aware of this syndrome.

Keywords: ACNES; Differentiating diagnosis; SSDs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnosis
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Abdominal Pain / psychology
  • Adolescent
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Medically Unexplained Symptoms*
  • Mental Disorders / complications
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / diagnosis*
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / psychology*