Periostalgia pubis: a cause of chronic abdominal pain.

Periostitis pubis has been proposed as a new clinical entity, one characterized by abdominal pain and tenderness over the os pubis. Periostitis pubis, as defined by Rubenstein , is inflammation at the insertion point of the anterior abdominal musculature onto the periosteum of the os pubis. A case is described in which the patient underwent multiple invasive diagnostic procedures before seeking help at the author's medical facility with a clinical problem similar to periostitis pubis. Her pain was completely relieved by infiltration of the tender superior surface of the os pubis. It is suggested that a more appropriate term for this problem may be 'periostalgia pubis. As no evidence exists that inflammation is involved in the pathophysiology, the primary goal of this case description is to promote recognition of the disorder which is probably under reported. It is hoped that recognition will lead to further information regarding the natural history and prevalence of the disorder.