Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome

Overview
The abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) consists of pain caused by entrapment of the abdominal segmental nerves within the rectus abdominis muscle. Intercostal neuralgia appears to be a restricted form of ACNES.

According to one clinician, " Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) may sound like an esoteric condition rarely seen by clinicians but is a common condition. When a patient is seen for abdominal pain without other clinically significant symptoms, ACNES should be high on the list of likely diagnoses." [From Applegate 2002---see reference below.]