Chronic pelvic pain due to peripheral neuropathy: a case report

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J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2006 Jul;28(7):603-7.

Chronic pelvic pain due to peripheral neuropathy: a case report.

Balasubramanian S, Morley-Forster P.

Clinical Fellow, Interdisciplinary Pain Program, Schulich School of

Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London ON.

Background: There are numerous possible causes for chronic pelvic

pain. Evaluation of these causes should begin with the least invasive

form of assessment.

Case: A 28-year-old woman with chronic pelvic pain underwent an array

of investigations and surgical interventions without relief of pain.

When she was admitted to hospital because of a flare up of pelvic

pain, the chronic pain service was consulted. The presentation of

stabbing pain that was reproduced by eliciting focal tenderness over

the course of ilioinguinal nerve made nerve entrapment a possible

diagnosis. An ilioinguinal nerve block was performed, resulting in

resolution of the pain.

Conclusion: Chronic pelvic pain due to peripheral neuropathy can

mimic visceral pain, presenting a diagnostic challenge.