The abdominal wall. A frequently overlooked source of abdominal pain.

Here, I review various conditions from my practice as a consultant gastroenterologist that present with abdominal pain in which the cause of the pain is the result of abdominal wall conditions, or disorders that affect the nerves to the abdominal wall. The diagnosis of abdominal wall pain can be made by careful history and physical examination, thus eliminating numerous unnecessary and sometimes dangerous invasive procedures and tests.