Abdominal pain caused by diabetic radiculopathy.

In diabetes mellitus, pain and weakness in a lower extremity can result from lumbosacral radiculopathy. However, abdominal pain caused by a similar type of thoracic nerve root disease is not generally recognized. Four diabetic patients with abdominal pain were studied. In none of the patients was the actual cause--radiculopathy--suspected until after extensive negative diagnostic investigation, which frequently included invasive procedures. Their clinical features were suggestive of malignant disease. Electromyographic examination revealed the correct diagnosis, and all four of the patients had a spontaneous and complete recovery.