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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 6/2015

Open Access 01-06-2015 | Original Article

Chronic Abdominal Syndrome Due to Nervous Compression. Study of 100 Cases and Proposed Diagnostic-Therapeutic Algorithm

Authors: Francisco Javier Pérez Lara, J. Quintero Quesada, J. A. Moreno Ramiro, R. Bustamante Toledo, A. Del Rey Moreno, H. Oliva Muñoz

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 6/2015

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Abstract

Objective

In the medical literature, thoracic disc protrusion has traditionally been considered a rare occurrence. We hypothesise that the incidence of such protrusions and their abdominal symptoms is higher than is generally believed and that their presence may account for a significant proportion of chronic non-visceral abdominal pains. Accordingly, the present study was designed to identify and quantify the symptoms experienced by patients with thoracic disc protrusion and to assess the relative risk of these symptoms being presented, compared to the general population.

Design

We conducted a cross-sectional study with a control group. The following comparison groups were analysed: case group, consisting of 100 patients diagnosed with thoracic disc protrusion in our hospital between February 2007 and October 2012, and control group consisting of 100 subjects from the general population, chosen at random. To compare the symptoms observed in each group, the following tests were applied to all study subjects: clinical examination, gastrointestinal-related quality of life (GIQLI) questionnaire and DN4 questionnaire. We also reviewed the subjects’ medical records for the previous 3 years.

Results

The subjects in the case group had a significantly higher incidence of digestive-urologic symptoms, a poorer gastrointestinal quality of life and greater need of medical care than those in the control group. The differences were statistically significant for all the parameters studied. Almost all the case group subjects suffered chronic abdominal pain and/or digestive-urologic symptoms. We term this group of symptoms “chronic abdominal syndrome due to nervous compression”. Nevertheless, in most cases, no neurologic aetiology was suspected, and therefore the treatment given was ineffective. In view of the results obtained, we propose a diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for such patients.

Conclusion

Thoracic disc protrusion, as well as having a non-negligible incidence, is often associated with a digestive-urologic clinical syndrome, and this factor should be taken into account in all cases of chronic abdominal pain and other digestive-urologic symptoms when standard tests are negative, so that appropriate treatment may be given.
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Metadata
Title
Chronic Abdominal Syndrome Due to Nervous Compression. Study of 100 Cases and Proposed Diagnostic-Therapeutic Algorithm
Authors
Francisco Javier Pérez Lara
J. Quintero Quesada
J. A. Moreno Ramiro
R. Bustamante Toledo
A. Del Rey Moreno
H. Oliva Muñoz
Publication date
01-06-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 6/2015
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-015-2801-8

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