Korean J Pain.  2009 Apr;22(1):96-98. 10.3344/kjp.2009.22.1.96.

Treatment of a Twelfth Rib Syndrome : A case report

• Choi JB
• Yoon KB
• Kim WO
• Yoon DM

• KMID: 1767826
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2009.22.1.96

Abstract

Twelfth rib syndrome is thought to be due to intercostal nerve irritation by a mobile twelfth rib, and presents with upper abdominal pain, or low thoracic pain. This syndrome appears to be a fairly common entity and diagnosis is based on clinical findings. Patients with twelfth rib syndrome can be misdiagnosed when it has been overlooked. We report a case of a 34-year-old male along with a presentation of twelfth rib syndrome. One patient was transferred from urologic clinic to pain clinic due to right flank pain and admitted. The patient had direct tenderness on twelfth rib area and direct tenderness was reproducible. Pain increased when the patient flexed laterally, rotated trunk. There were no specific abnormal findings in laboratory test, electrocardiogram, and radiologic examination. After intercostal nerve block and epidural block, pain decreased and the patient was discharged.

Keyword

abdominal pain; intercostal nerve; thoracic pain; twelfth rib syndrome

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Adult
Electrocardiography
Flank Pain
Humans
Intercostal Nerves
Male
Pain Clinics
Ribs