Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is a condition that causes chronic pain of the abdominal wall. It occurs when terminal branches of the lower thoracic intercostal nerves (7-12) are ‘entrapped’ in abdominal muscles, causing a severe localized neuropathic pain that is usually experienced at ventral portions of the abdomen. It is frequently overlooked and unrecognized, although the incidence is estimated to be 1:2000 patients. Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome was originally described in 1792 by Dr. Frank and has been written about over the years. Since it is a rare syndrome, patients are often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel, spastic colon, gastritis, psychoneurosis, depression, anxiety, hysteria, and malingering. Once ACNES is considered based on the patient’s history, the diagnosis can easily be made via a thorough physical examination: looking for a painful spot, which worsens by tensing the abdominal muscles as in lifting the head (Carnett’s sign). Almost always, a small area of maximal pain is covered by a larger area of altered skin sensibility with somatosensory disturbances such as hypoesthesia as well as hyperesthesia or hyperalgesia and change of cool perception. Pinching the skin between thumb and index finger is extremely painful compared to the opposite non-involved side. Symptoms of ACNES can be acute or chronic. The acute pain is described as localized, dull, or burning, with a sharp component (usually on one side) radiating horizontally in the upper half of the abdomen and obliquely downward in the lower abdomen. The pain may radiate when the patient twists, bends, or sits up. Lying down may help but sometimes worsens the pain. Treatment of Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome begins with conservative modalities such as heat, ice, rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and physical therapy. Injection into the muscles of a local anesthetic and a steroid can be both diagnostic and therapeutic. In severe cases, surgical exploration to release the entrapped nerve may be indicated.be indicated.
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Conditions Treated
- Sacroiliac Joint Problem
- Chronic Neck Pain Due to Disc Problems
- Chronic Low Back Pain Due to Disc Problems
- Low Back Pain Due to Arthritis in the Facet Joint of the Spine
- Sciatica
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Entrapment Neuropathy
- Post-Surgical (Mastectomy, Thoracotomy, Herniorrhaphy) Pain
- Pain After Disc Surgery (Post-Laminectomy Pain)
- Spinal Stenosis
- Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)
- Occipital Neuralgia (Headache)
- Myofascial Pain and Fibromyalgia
Procedures Offered
- Sacroiliac Joint Injection
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
- Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection
- Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection
- Lumbar Sympathetic Block
- Stellate Ganglion Block
- Peripheral Nerve Block (Ilioinguinal,etc)
- Facet Joint Injection
- Medial Branch Block
- Trigger Point Injection
- Injection of Coccyx/Tailbone
- Occipital Nerve Block
- Radiofrequency Ablation (Destruction of Painful Nerves)
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You can come down to Florida and I can try to help you. Florida is beautiful this time of year. :). Coordinate with Daryl my assistant
Dr A
I want to thank Dr Aarons for taking the time to respond to my post , We found a Dr at syracuse medical but our GP refuses to refer my wife to the clinic saying Dr zidian is a headach specialist , dr zidians office said that he would need a referal so his team could review the case so as to take the next step to find the right Dr if not him, Dr Zidian wrote a paper on Acnes inthe journalmof pain this is how I found him ,
Our GP will only refer her to pain management . christie is now taking 1600 mg of gabapentin to mange the pain. If anyone has any ideas id love to hear them
Why don’t you do a search for “interventional pain management “ in your area and see what comes up. She may benefit from a consult and maybe a nerve block.
Dr A
My wife was recently diagnosed with acnes after a 3 day stay in the hospital 2 ulteasounds two ct scans and a pelvic exam later , and her having to scream “I dont want pain killers” after 3 Dr’s had made it clear they wouldn’t prescibe any “they thought she was drug seeking. Finally a wonderdul young Dr came in and did the carnetts test did they diagnos Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome . This was decembe1st today she finnaly had her appointment with her OBGYN , this confused me OBGYN ? Odd but thats who they refered her too. Of course he had no idea why she was there and had no ideas what to tell her or where to go as he ad never heard of ACNES. now we are on our 7th week of her being in pain so bad at times she cant stand , shes on 800mg of gabapentin three times a day for pain but now thats not even helping . Her emotional state has deteriorated to the point That ot breals my heart and as a 48 year old woman with late onset type “1” diabetes the stress seems to be making blood sugar even harder to regulate. Im at a loss and have no ideas where to turn for help here in binghamton ny .. any ideas would be appreciated
William
[email protected]
For anyone on the East Coast who has a child that may be suffering from ACNES, we are being seen by Dr Mark Lee, from Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.
Sorry. I do not know anyone in NYC. But there are plenty of great hospitals there. I would google “interventional pain management “ and start from there
Dr A
Hi. Can you recommend a doctor in NYC who is knowledgeable about ACNES and treats it? Thanks.
Sorry, do not know anyone in that area. You can google “interventional pain Management “ and see what comes up.
Dr A
Hi there ?
I think my mother may be suffering from ACNES. Do you know of any clinicians in the Sacramento/San Francisco area that can assess her?
Don’t know anyone in Boston but I am happy to see you in my clinic. I am sure there are plenty of board certified pain doctors in such a large city. Check with the major Hospital anesthesia department
Dr A
Hi I am looking for someone in the Boston area, contact [email protected] if you can help please, i am near my breaking point
Sorry, don’t know anyone up there>
DR A
Any recommendations in or around West Virginia?
Sorry. Have no idea where that is.
Dr A
Please can you refer in my are my zip code T5P 4E8
Thanks Dr. Aaron.
Sorry. Do not know anyone in that area. I would do a search for interventional pain doctor with your zip code and see what you come up with.
Dr A
Hello Dr. Aaron, Do you have colleague you can refer me to in the Los Angeles area? I have right side abdominal pain that goes through my rib, into upper and lower abdomen and radiates into my low back. The condition aggravated by any core exercise. I also have pretty extreme nausea. I have seem a chiropractor, internist, physical and gastroenterologist and none of them have heard of ACNES. I have history of bowel obstructions caused by adhesions from a ruptured appendix and the consensus is I should have another scope surgery to see if I have more adhesions. I would prefer to see if ACNES is the issue.
Thanks
Usually ACNES does not have nauseas. Sounds like it’s related to the surgery. Maybe a undiagnosed bowel injury or scar tissue blocking the colon. Hard to diagnose over the Internet. Hope this helps. I would see a gastroenterologist or consider laparoscopy.
Dr A
I found out after a hysterectomy…. that i kept saying wasn’t the problem…. that i had acnes in my lower right quadrant, after a botched surgery, he put a hole in my bladder, 10 hours under anesthesia and him trying to give me something to put me into medical menopause, he finally had me lift my legs simultaneously and figured it out, started with a nerve block in my stomach, made them do it while i was awake, i cried because the pain finally stopped after 18 months… NOW i have SEVERE morning sickness…. For 2 years now….. Don’t know if it’s from ACNES or the surgery but nothing has helped… Weird thing, i get the sickness even if i nap in the middle of the afternoon, it’s like my stomach goes to sleep when i do: ( I’m at wits end, I’ve tried EVERY home remedy, I’ve tried prescriptions, nothing has stopped it…. Could this be caused from ACNES?:(
No. Sometimes alcohol or phenol neurolytic blocks can leave the patient with painful problems. Anesthesia Dolorosa. I have not heard of radio frequency ablation being used for this problem.
Dr A
Dr Aaron. Have you ever performed phenol injections or radiofrequency ablation for ACNES in patients who have responded to Marcaine/kenalog injections but have recurring pain?
It certainly could be ACNES but hard to diagnose that over the Internet. You should see an interventional pain doctor for evaluation.
Dr A
Hi Doctor Aaron. I have been having pain to the left of my belly button and directly beneath my belly button for several months. This pain all started when we remodeled our home and I developed an umbilical hernia. It eventually felt as though the muscle beneath the belly button contracted and would not release. I have had exploratory surgery and repair of the hernia and the tight feeling subsided several weeks p o st surgery but left side pain still remains and my stomach is sensitive to touch and clothing. I believe I have entrapped nerves and my symptoms sound so much like ACNES. Doctors don’t seem to know much about abdominal pain. Should I bring this up to them. Thanks for any help you can provide.
I don’t know anyone in that area since I am in Florida but the Mayo has a great reputation and should be able to help
Dr A
Dr. Aaron’s, my 17 year old daughter is suffering. This is year 3. We are in Omaha, and could really use some help locating the nearest doctor familiar with ACNES and treatments. We have an appointment at the pain clinic at Mayo next month, but I haven’t read the best reviews for treating this there. Any advice or suggestions? Please help.
Kate
No problem. Thanks for the help
Sorry, I am not allowed to share patient info. I can just answer questions. It’s a HIPPA violation to do so
Dr Aarons,
I have also been going thru the exact same thing as jb jennings has posted about her husband. I was wondering if you could give her my information and see if she could contact me. I live in california also. I wanted to see if she had found anybody that was able to help.
Thanks again for making this information available.
I agree with your doctor. I would continue intermittent injections. There is no long term solutions. Surgery does not work. Tens unit is good. The pain may diminish over time but there are no long term studies. I do not think the nausea is related to the injection but sometimes steroids can cause GI distress. Hope this helps.
Dr A
My 16 y/o daughter has just been diagnosed with ACNES a few months ago after 4 years of many doctors, procedures, surgeries, lots of medication and wrong diagnoses. She is currently seeing Dr Harken in Greensboro NC. He has given her 3 sets of of cortisone injections which have been very helpful and has helped her to be able to have a life. She isn’t 100% but is so much better. She plays volleyball for her high school so it still causes pain from time to time but we have found a TENS unit will help her get through the pain when it does happen. My questions are… Dr Harken says that he thinks that it will heal itself over time. I constantly research this and I have never read this anywhere.Do you agree? He wants to continue with the shots every 2-3 months. He doesn’t seem to want to do anything else about it. Right now my daughter is doing ok. But I want to know what to do if the injections stop working, it seems this happens with most people after awhile. And she does seem to need them that often. She has also had constant nausea with this that Dr Harken says he doesn’t think has anything to do with ACNES. But everything I read says it does. Your opinion? He has been great but I’m not sure he knows enough about this to continue seeing him. We are in Charlotte NC. Anyone around us or surrounding states you know about or recommend? Thank you for your time. Shelia
I would repeat the injection. In general the injection is both diagnostic and therapeutic. The absence of improvement after the injection calls into question the diagnosis. Good luck
Dr A
Dr Aaron I’m pretty sure that my daughter has ACNES although the pain clinic we are working with (children’s hospital) has not heard of this nor do they know how to help us. We have previously had magnesium and lidocaine injections in her pain spot which alleviated the pain completely but only for a week at a time. These injections stopped working for some reason. She’s just recently had a lidocaine and cortisone injection as close as possible to abdominal wall. The lidocaine gave her some relief but only for 24 hours but not fully. The cortisone has not kicked in. …and it’s been 3 weeks. Doctor here do not suggest surgery. If her next two injections do not work..I don’t know what options I have. Any suggestions? Elaine
Elaine- I am not aware of any particular specialist in ACNES in Ottawa. In general, any board certified interventional pain doctor should be able to diagnose and treat ACNES. There is no definitive test for ACNES. The diagnosis is made with a proper patient history and physical exam along with the exclusion of other potential causes. An injection into the area of a local anesthetic and a steroid may be diagnostic. Hope that helps.
DR A
Hi Doctor Aaron – Is there a specialist in Ontario (or Canada) that specializes in ACNES. We are in Ottawa and the children’s hospital is at a loss as to why my daughter has this localized pain in her abdomen. Thanks
My husband had a very large cyst removed from his kidney 2 years ago and has suffered with this pain which is undiagnosed. We thought it might be fascial trauma and he went to PT to see if massaging the area and stretching would help him. It is still very bad and he pushes through the pain still working out and trying to figure out factors that make it better or worse. Do you know of a physician in the Dallas Fort Worth Texas area that you can recommend? He is at his breaking point with this severe pain. Please help him.
Dr. Aaron, I live in Canada, Edmonton. I had surgery in October for partial mesh removal from my bladder. Mesh complications since 2007 to last surgery. Two major surgeries. I believe I am now suffering from ACNES (doctor said was nerve trapped) Is physio better or should a pain clinic be my better option?
Sometimes the first injection is not successful. You can try another injection. If the second injection is not successful then I would question the diagnosis
DR A
Hi Dr Aaron. I have been diagnosed with ACNES and had 1 Injection of Nerve Block and Steroid. The pain got worst. Is that common and should I try more injections?
I do not know. I am in Florida. I would call around to the bigger hospitals and ask for the Interventional Pain Management program. Probably any university setting would have one.
DR A
Where to go in New York?
Wow, thank you for the quick reply I certainly wasn’t expecting that. Okay, they keep saying her abdominal wall (we thought it was the rib area) so I didn’t know with the entrapped nerve and talk of rectus and abdominal wall if this is what they meant. Thanks again
That can be part of it
DR A
Is this the same thing as if you have a fibrin knot on/in your Upper Left Rectus Abdominus/Rectus Sheath causing a nerve entrapment?
Sorry. No one I know on the west coast :(. Try a university interventional pain clinic. I am sure there are several out there
My husband has been suffering for 5 years without an answer. He is the healthiest sick person I know. All vitals and organs are normal but no GI, urologist, general surgeon or neurologist can make a diagnoses that is outside of the norm. My husband has been poked, prodded has swallowed cameras and has spent many days in the ER with no results. We were given some information about ACNES a few days ago and I started to cry…this was it. When I mentioned it to a few doctors we have been seeing, they looked at us like I was from another planet. They can’t diagnose my husband but are very sure that he could not possibly have ACNES because they claim it is so rare. We are in California and are looking for a specialist closer to the West Coast that we can consult with…do you have any West Coast referrals?
Yes. Call 954-580-8838
I am 100% certain that this is what I have been suffering from for 18 months. I can’t locate a locate doctor that has any familiarity with this syndrome. Are you accepting new patients for ACNES evaluation and/or treatment?
The diagnosis of abdominal pain can be complex. ACNES is only one possible cause, and not a frequent one. Every doctor should be open minded to other possibilities if no easy resolution to the problem is forthcoming. If you don’t like these doctors’ opinions, the only options is to find one who will listen to you. Good luck!
Dr Aaron do you have any suggestions to get a pain doctor to explore this possibility. Mother in law 87 years old chronic pain left side abdomen. Increases with movement she has had injections in spine T 1,12, but no relief. Carnetts test was positive, blood test, MRI and upper GI were negative for any other issues. I have given two different doctors the. Information on ACNES but they will not entertain this being the issue
There are many therapeutic modalities that may be useful including ultrasound and electrical stimulation or thermo- therapy. You can not manipulate a nerve out of entrapped but these modalities combined with injections can be helpful
Hi Doctor Aaron. I appreciate your article. I’m an RN and I’m quite sure that I have ACNES-positive Carnett’s sign. My pain is not severe but uncomfortable and my skin is very sensitive to touch an pressure from my clothing. I am wondering what types of physical therapy exercises might be helpful? Is it possible to manipulate the abdominal muscle to un-entrap the nerve? Thank you. Kristie