Intra-rachidian disorders: two unusual cases of recurrent abdominal pain in children.
Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is generally thought to be of psychological origin but organic aetiologies are increasingly being identified. The cases of two children with vertebral disorders revealed by recurrent abdominal pain are reported. A 14-y-old girl presented with RAP associated with scoliosis, due to a T8-T9 intra-dural extra-medullary tumour. A 7-y-old girl who suffered from nocturnal RAP located in the right iliac fossa for 1 y had decreased muscular strength, pyramidal signs, and a 10 degree Lassègue sign in the right lower limb, revealing a vascular malformation extending from T12 to L2.


CONCLUSIONS
Atypical pain and associated neurological signs or scoliosis must raise the possibility of intra-rachidian disorders. Magnetic resonance examination will then precisely state the location and nature of the pathological process, avoiding excessive delay in therapeutic management.
Unité de Gastroentérologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Pellegrin-Enfants, Bordeaux, France.
L
L
Rebouissoux
S
S
Ramirez del Villar
M
M
Brun
M
M
Fayon
T
T
Lamireau
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy