Interventional Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Pain in Children

Abstract

Chronic abdominal pain is a commonly encountered complaint amongst children and adolescents. Pediatric chronic abdominal pain syndromes frequently involve a somatosensory component, for which peripheral nerve blockade has become an important therapeutic modality. The evolution of ultrasound guidance has made such techniques more popular and effective. Peripheral nerve blocks can serve as useful adjuncts to managing chronic abdominal pain conditions in children in cases that are refractory to noninvasive treatments. In this chapter, we summarize the current knowledge and reported practices of peripheral nerve blocks in managing pediatric chronic abdominal pain. A brief description of commonly performed nerve blocks, including anatomy, indications, and potential complications, is provided.