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Rowley E, Suresh R, de Rutier AG, Dellon L, Tollestrup TW. Clinical Insights and Optimization of Surgical Approach for Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Injury/Entrapment: A Comprehensive Analysis of 184 Cases. Ann Plast Surg 2024; 93:229-234. [PMID: 38896846 DOI: 10.1097/sap.0000000000003991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Entrapment or injury of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) is being recognized with increasing frequency, often requiring a surgical approach to relieve symptoms. The presence of anatomic variations can lead to errors in diagnosis and intraoperative decision-making. METHODS This study presents the experience of a single surgeon (T.W.T.) in managing 184 patients referred with clinical issues related to the LFCN. A comprehensive review of these cases was conducted to develop a prospective surgical management algorithm. Data on the LFCN's anatomic course, pain relief outcomes, comorbidities, body mass index, and sex were extracted from patients' medical charts and operative notes. Pain relief was assessed subjectively, categorized into "excellent relief" for complete pain resolution, "good" for substantial pain reduction with some residual discomfort, and "failure" for cases with no pain relief necessitating reoperation. RESULTS The decision tree is dichotomized based on the mechanism of LFCN pathology: compression (requiring neurolysis) versus history of trauma, surgery, and/or obesity (requiring resection). Forty-seven percent of the patients in this series had an anatomic variation. It was found that failure to relieve symptoms of compression often indicated the presence of anatomic variation of the LFCN or intraneural changes consistent with a neuroma, even if adequate decompression was achieved. With respect to pain relief as the outcome measure, recognition of LFCN anatomic variability and use of this algorithm resulted in 75% excellent results, 10% good results, and 15% failures. Twenty-seven of the 36 failures originally had neurolysis as the surgical approach. Twelve of those failures had a second surgery, an LFCN neurectomy, resulting in 10 excellent, 1 good, and 1 persistent failure. CONCLUSION This article establishes an algorithm for the surgical treatment of MP, incorporating clinical experience and anatomical insights to guide treatment decisions. Criteria for considering neurectomy may include a history of trauma, prior local surgery, anatomical LFCN variations, and severe nerve damage due to chronic compression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachana Suresh
- From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - A Godard de Rutier
- Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Scholz C, Hohenhaus M, Pedro MT, Uerschels AK, Dengler NF. Meralgia Paresthetica: Relevance, Diagnosis, and Treatment. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 120:655-661. [PMID: 37534445 PMCID: PMC10622057 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2023.0170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain and sensory disturbance in the distribution of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in the ventrolateral portion of the thigh is called meralgia paresthetica (MP). The incidence of MP has risen along with the increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus and was recently estimated at 32 new cases per 100 000 persons per year. In this review, we provide an overview of current standards and developments in the diagnosis and treatment of MP. METHODS This review is based on publications retrieved by a selective literature search, with special attention to meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized and controlled trials (RCTs), and prospective observational studies. RESULTS The diagnosis is mainly based on typical symptoms combined with a positive response to an infiltration procedure. In atypical cases, electrophysiological testing, neurosonography, and magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful in establishing the diagnosis. The literature search did not reveal any studies of high quality. Four prospective observational studies with small case numbers and partly inconsistent results are available. In a meta-analysis of 149 cases, pain relief was described after infiltration in 85% of cases and after surgery in 80%, with 1-38 months of follow-up. In another meta-analysis of 670 cases, there was pain relief after infiltration in 22% of cases, after surgical decompression in 63%, and after neurectomy in 85%. Hardly any data are available on more recent treatment options, such as radiofrequency therapy, spinal cord stimulation, or peripheral nerve stimulation. CONCLUSION The state of the evidence is limited in both quantity and quality, corresponding to evidence level 2a for surgical and non-surgical methods. Advances in imaging and neurophysiological testing have made the diagnosis easier to establish. When intervention is needed, good success rates have been achieved with surgery (decompression, neurectomy), and variable success rates with infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Scholz
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
| | - Marc Hohenhaus
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg
| | - Maria T. Pedro
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peripheral Nerves Section, University of Ulm at Günzburg District Hospital
| | | | - Nora F. Dengler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité–University Medical Center Berlin
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Gomez YDLC, Remotti E, Momah DU, Zhang E, Swanson DD, Kim R, Urits I, Kaye AD, Robinson CL. Meralgia Paresthetica Review: Update on Presentation, Pathophysiology, and Treatment. Health Psychol Res 2023; 11:71454. [PMID: 36937080 PMCID: PMC10019995 DOI: 10.52965/001c.71454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose of Review Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a condition characterized by paresthesias, neuropathic pain, and alterations in sensorium of the anterolateral thigh secondary to impingement of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). MP is generally diagnosed by clinical history and is often a diagnosis of exclusion. When diagnosis remains a challenge, diagnostic modalities such as ultrasound, MRI, electromyography, and nerve conduction studies have been utilized as an adjunct. This review summarizes the most recent medical literature regarding MP, its pathophysiology, presentation, and current treatment options. Recent Findings Treatment options for patients with MP range from lifestyle modifications and conservative management to surgical procedures. Initial management is often conservative with symptoms managed with medications. When conservative management fails, the next step is regional blocks followed by surgical management. The conflicting data for treatment options for MP highlight how the evidence available does not point to a single approach that's universally effective for treating all patients with MP. Summary Despite the apparent success at treating MP with regional blocks and surgical interventions, much remains to be known about the dosing, frequency, and optimal interventions due to the inconclusive results of current studies. Further research including randomized controlled trials are needed to better understand the most optimal treatment options for MP including studies with a larger number of participants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edgar Remotti
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Deandra Uju Momah
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Emily Zhang
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Daniel D Swanson
- Georgetown University Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Medstar, Washington, DC
| | - Rosa Kim
- Georgetown University Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Medstar, Washington, DC
| | | | - Alan D Kaye
- Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA
| | - Christopher L Robinson
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Solomons JNT, Sagir A, Yazdi C. Meralgia Paresthetica. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2022; 26:525-531. [PMID: 35622311 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-022-01053-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review article summaries the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentations, and latest treatment modalities of meralgia paresthetica, including the latest data about peripheral and spinal cord stimulation therapy. Meralgia paresthetica (MP) causes burning, stinging, or numbness in the anterolateral part of the thigh, usually due to compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). RECENT FINDINGS There are emerging data regarding the benefit of interventional pain procedures, including steroid injection and radiofrequency ablation, and other interventions including spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation reserved for refractory cases. The strength of evidence for treatment choices in meralgia paraesthetica is weak. Some observational studies are comparing local injection of corticosteroid versus surgical interventions. However, more extensive studies are needed regarding the long-term benefit of peripheral and spinal cord stimulation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Afrin Sagir
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brookline, MA, USA
| | - Cyrus Yazdi
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brookline, MA, USA.
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Manoharan D, Sudhakaran D, Goyal A, Srivastava DN, Ansari MT. Clinico-radiological review of peripheral entrapment neuropathies - Part 2 Lower limb. Eur J Radiol 2020; 135:109482. [PMID: 33360825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2020.109482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This review discusses the relevant anatomy, etiopathogenesis, current notions in clinical and imaging features as well as management outline of lower limb entrapment neuropathies. METHODS The review is based on critical analysis of the current literature as well as our experience in dealing with entrapment neuropathies of the lower limb. RESULTS The complex anatomical network of nerves supplying the lower extremities are prone to entrapment by a heterogenous group of etiologies. This leads to diverse clinical manifestations making them difficult to diagnose with traditional methods such as clinical examination and electrodiagnostic studies. Moreover, some of these may mimic other common conditions such as disc pain or fibromyalgia leading to delay in diagnosis and increasing morbidity. Addition of imaging improves the diagnostic accuracy and also help in correct treatment of these entities. Magnetic resonance imaging is very useful for deeply situated nerves in pelvis and thigh while ultrasound is well validated for superficial entrapment neuropathies. CONCLUSION The rapidly changing concepts in these conditions accompanied by the advances in imaging has made it essential for a clinical radiologist to be well-informed with the current best practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Manoharan
- Department of Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Dipin Sudhakaran
- Department of Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ankur Goyal
- Department of Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | | | - Mohd Tahir Ansari
- Department of Orthopedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Siddiq MAB, Clegg D, Hasan SA, Rasker JJ. Extra-spinal sciatica and sciatica mimics: a scoping review. Korean J Pain 2020; 33:305-317. [PMID: 32989195 PMCID: PMC7532296 DOI: 10.3344/kjp.2020.33.4.305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Not all sciatica-like manifestations are of lumbar spine origin. Some of them are caused at points along the extra-spinal course of the sciatic nerve, making diagnosis difficult for the treating physician and delaying adequate treatment. While evaluating a patient with sciatica, straightforward diagnostic conclusions are impossible without first excluding sciatica mimics. Examples of benign extra-spinal sciatica are: piriformis syndrome, walletosis, quadratus lumborum myofascial pain syndrome, cluneal nerve disorder, and osteitis condensans ilii. In some cases, extra-spinal sciatica may have a catastrophic course when the sciatic nerve is involved in cyclical sciatica, or the piriformis muscle in piriformis pyomyositis. In addition to cases of sciatica with clear spinal or extra-spinal origin, some cases can be a product of both origins; the same could be true for pseudo-sciatica or sciatica mimics, we simply don’t know how prevalent extra-spinal sciatica is among total sciatica cases. As treatment regimens differ for spinal, extra-spinal sciatica, and sciatica-mimics, their precise diagnosis will help physicians to make a targeted treatment plan. As published works regarding extra-spinal sciatica and sciatica mimics include only a few case reports and case series, and systematic reviews addressing them are hardly feasible at this stage, a scoping review in the field can be an eye-opener for the scientific community to do larger-scale prospective research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Abu Bakar Siddiq
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Brahmanbaria Medical College, Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh.,School of Health Sport and Professional Practice, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, United Kingdom
| | - Danny Clegg
- School of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suzon Al Hasan
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Rajshahai Medical College, Rajshahai, Bangladesh
| | - Johannes J Rasker
- Faculty of Behavioral Management and Social Sciences, Psychology Health and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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Yang HJ, Yoo JS, Kim JA, Kang Y, Lee YK, Min JH, Cho HR. Meralgia paresthetica following hemorrhoidectomy in the jack-knife position - A case report -. Anesth Pain Med (Seoul) 2019. [DOI: 10.17085/apm.2019.14.1.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon Jun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jun Sung Yoo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jin A Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Yoo Kang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Yong Kyung Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jin Hye Min
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Hyung Rae Cho
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
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Garwood ER, Duarte A, Bencardino JT. MR Imaging of Entrapment Neuropathies of the Lower Extremity. Radiol Clin North Am 2018; 56:997-1012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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