• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.152-157
• /
• 2006

Background: Meralgia paresthesia (MP) is characterized by sensory impairment in the anterolateral aspect of the thigh and usually caused by a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) lesion. It is well known that several physiologic factors including age, obesity, and sex can affect nerve conduction. This study aimed to determine whether body mass index (BMI) and age can influence on the conduction velocity and action potential amplitude of the LFCN. Methods: Fifty six individuals without any previous neuromuscular disease participated in this study. LFCN was studied orthodromically, distally from the anterior superior iliac spine. The values, such as sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude and sensory nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were obtained. SNAP of the LFCN were formed on both sides in forty three individuals. Results: No difference of demographic factors was observed between two groups divided according to the presence of SNAP formation. BMI had a significant relationship with SNAP amplitude and NCV of the LFCN. Moreover, Multiple regression analyses of nerve conduction values showed the significant correlation of body mass index and age with nerve conduction velocity. Conclusions: We may suggest that nerve conduction of the LFCN can be affected by age and BMI. Further study to obtain normal nerve conduction data and compare these data with those of meralgia paresthetica patients should be continued.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.115-118
• /
• 2011

Meralgia paresthetica is a rarely encountered sensory mononeuropathy characterized by paresthesia, pain or sensory impairment along the distribution of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) caused by entrapment or compression of the nerve as it crossed the anterior superior iliac spine and runs beneath the inguinal ligament. There is great variability regarding the area where the nerve pierces the inguinal ligament, which makes it difficult to perform blind anesthetic blocks. Ultrasound has developed into a powerful tool for the visualization of peripheral nerves including very small nerves such as accessory and sural nerves. The LFCN can be located successfully, and local anesthetic solution distribution around the nerve can be observed with ultrasound guidance. Our successfully performed ultrasound-guided blockade of the LFCN in meralgia paresthetica suggests that this technique is a safe way to increase the success rate.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.215-220
• /
• 2018

Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a sensory mononeuropathy, caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) of thigh. Patients refractory to conservative management are treated with various interventional procedures. We report the first use of extended duration (8 minutes) pulsed radiofrequency of the LFCN in a case series of five patients with refractory MP. Four patients had follow up for 1-2 years, and one had 6 months follow up. All patients reported remarkable and long lasting symptom relief and an increase in daily life activities. Three patients came off medications and two patients required minimal doses of neuropathic medications. No complications were observed.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2001

Background: Meralgia paresthetica(MP) which is characterized by paresthesias and sensory impairment without motor weakness in the anterolateral aspects of the thigh is produced by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve(LFCN). Even though the diagnosis of MP is mostly based on the clinical symptoms, electrophysiologic study is mandatory to confirm the disease objectively. It has been known that Somatosensory evoked potential(SSEP) study of LFCN is a simple and very useful method to evaluate MP, so we studied SSEP of LFCN in normal adults and offer normal values. Materials and Methods: Thirty six normal adults(23 males and 13 females) ages from 21 to 73 years old($mean{\pm}SD$:$42.06{\pm}15.74$) were studied SSEP of LFCN bilaterally. The stimulation site was anterolateral aspect of thighs and the recording site was Cz'. Results: The mean values($mean{\pm}SD$) of $LP_0$, $SP_0$, $LN_1$ and $SN_1$ of all subjects were 35.10(${\pm}2.42$), 33.80(${\pm}2.4$), 43.68(${\pm}1.88$) and 42.16(${\pm}2.12$) and the mean values($mean{\pm}SD$ of $DP_0$, $DN_1$ and DA(${\mu}V{\pm}SD$ were 1.30(${\pm}1.14$), 1.52(${\pm}1.38$) and 0.32(${\pm}0.33$). Conclusion: For the diagnosis of MP. comparison of latency difference between both sides is more reliable than simple value of latency itself because of individual differences of body types. According to our results. the latency difference should be less than 2 msec and the amplitude difference was less than 1.6 times in normal adults.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.51 no.6
• /
• pp.363-366
• /
• 2012

Objective : Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a syndrome of pain and/or dysesthesia in the anterolateral thigh that is caused by an entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) at its pelvic exit. Despite early accounts of MP, there is still no consensus concerning the effectiveness of neurolysis or transaction treatments in the long-term relief for medically refractory patients with MP. We retrospectively analyzed available long-term results of LFCN neurolysis for medically refractory MP in an effort to clarify this issue. Methods : During the last 7 years, 11 patients who had neurolysis for MP were enrolled in this study. Nerve entrapment was confirmed preoperatively by electrophysiological studies or a positive response to local anesthetic injection. Decompression of the LFCN was performed at the level of the iliac fascia, inguinal ligament, and fascia of the thigh distally. The outcome of surgery was assessed 8 weeks after the procedure followed at regular intervals if symptoms persisted. Results : Twelve decompression procedures were performed in 11 patients over a 7-year period. The average duration of symptoms was 8.5 months (range, 4-15 months). The average follow-up period was 33 months (range, 12-60 months). Complete and partial symptom improvement were noted in nine (81.8%) and two (18.2%) cases, respectively. No recurrence was reported. Conclusion : Neurolysis of the LFCN can provide adequate pain relief with minimal complications for medically refractory MP. To achieve a good outcome in neurolysis for MP, an accurate diagnosis with careful examination and repeated blocks of the LFCN, along with electrodiagnosis seems to be essential. Possible variation in the course of the LFCN and thorough decompression along the course of the LFCN should be kept in mind in planning decompression surgery for MP.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.392-395
• /
• 2008

Lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy occurring during spinal surgery is frequently related to iliac bone graft harvesting, but meralgia paresthetica (MP) can result from the patient being in the prone position. Prone position-related MP is not an uncommon complication after posterior spine surgery but there are only few reports in the literature on this subject. It is usually overlooked because of its mild symptoms and self-limiting course, or patients and physicians may misunderstand the persistence of lower extremity symptoms in the early postoperative period to be a reflection of poor surgical outcome. The authors report a case of prone position-related MP after posterior lumbar interbody fusion at the L3-4 and reviewed the literature with discussion on the incidence, pathogenesis, and possible risk factors related to this entity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.109-115
• /
• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this case is to report the improvement after treatment about a patient with meralgia paresthetica. Methods : We treated the patient with acupuncture therapy and Herbal medication from 11th October 2004 to 15th October 2004 by evaluating femoral function with VAS score and R.O.M of femur joint. Results : After 5 times of treatment, this patient achieved excellent outcome following the technique, showing that clinical symptom as like heating sense, edema and pain was disappeared, VAS changed from 10 to 1 and there was no limitation of ROM of femur. Conclusions : Meralgia paresthetica is a symptom complex that includes numbness, paresthesias, and pain in the anterolateral thigh, which may result from either an entrapment neuropathy or a neuroma of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve(LFCN). Oriental medical treatment for meralgia paresthetica resulted in satisfactory results by diminishing the symptoms progressively during the five days of treatment. Differential diagnosis was based on careful physical examination. More research of meralgia paresthetica is needed.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.89-93
• /
• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this case is to report the improvement after treatment about a patient with meralgia paresthetica. Methods : We treated the patient with acupucture therapy, cupping therapy, electroacupuncture therapy, percutaneous radiofrequency thermoablation and myofascial release technique by Turbo SASO from $26^{th}$ June 2015 to $3^{rd}$ July 2015 by evaluating femoral function with VAS score. Results : After 5 times of treatment, this patient achieved excellent outcome following the technique, showing that clinical symptom as able to walked and pain was disappeared, VAS changed from 10 to 3 and the result of patrick test came out negative. Conclusions : The various symptoms appear in the Meralgia paresthetica such as numbness, paresthesia, and pain in the anterolateral thigh, which may result from either an entrapment neuropathy or a neuroma of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve(LFCN). Oriental medical treatment for meralgia paresthetica resulted in satisfactory results by diminishing the symptoms progressively during the five days of treatment. Differential diagnosis was based on careful physical examination. More research of meralgia paresthetica is needed.