Korean J Pain.  2011 Jun;24(2):115-118. 10.3344/kjp.2011.24.2.115.

Ultrasound-guided Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Block in Meralgia Paresthetica

• Kim JE
• Lee SG
• Kim EJ
• Min BW
• Ban JS
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2074009
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2011.24.2.115

Abstract

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.

Keyword

lateral femoral cutaneous nerve; meralgia paresthetica; ultrasound

MeSH Terms

Ligaments
Mononeuropathies
Nerve Block
Nerve Compression Syndromes
Organic Chemicals
Paresthesia
Peripheral Nerves
Spine
Sural Nerve
Nerve Compression Syndromes
Organic Chemicals

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Standing position. A picture which shows inguinal area is covered with fat tissues of lower abdominal area.

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  Fig. 2 Ultrasound image of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in the short axis. FL: fascia lata, FI: fascia iliaca, N: lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, SM: Sartorius muscle.

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