Anat Cell Biol.  2024 Jun;57(2):320-323. 10.5115/acb.23.252.

An anomalous pseudoganglion associated with high division of sciatic nerve

• Bhingardeo AV
• Amlan A
• Chandrupatla M
• Prabhala S
• Somalwar S

• KMID: 2556577
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.23.252

Abstract

Sciatic nerve (SN) is the thickest and longest nerve of the body. Deviations from the normal anatomical origin and level of bifurcation of SN have been frequently reported. In the present case, we are presenting a unique scenario of origin of terminal branches of the SN-tibial nerve (TN) and common peroneal nerve (CPN) in the pelvic region itself from divisions arising directly from the lumbosacral plexus. This variation was associated with origin of posterior femoral cutaneous nerve from the superior division of CPN with anomalous communicating branches between pudendal nerve and TN. The unique characteristics of the present case are the presence of ‘pseudoganglion’ found on the inferior division of TN. The present case stands out as the first of its kind to mention such pseudoganglion. Knowledge of some unusual findings like presence of pseudoganglion and intercommunications between nerves have clinical implications in anesthesiology, neurology, sports medicine, and surgery.

Keyword

Sciatic nerve; Tibial nerve; Pseudoganglion; Pudendal nerve; Posterior femoral cutaneous nerve

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Showing (A) dissection image of origin of tibial and CPN directly from lumbar plexus. (B) Schematic representation of same dissection image. (C) Schematic representation of only nerves depicted in dissection image. TN, tibial nerve; CPN, common peroneal nerve; SD, superior division; ID, inferior division; NFL, nerve fibre loop; CT, common trunk; AB, anomalous branch; TB, terminal branch; PFCN, posterior femoral cutaneous nerve; G, ganglion; PM, piriformis muscle; PN, pudendal nerve.

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  Fig. 2 Dissection image highlighting pseudoganglion associated with TN. TN, tibial nerve; PFCN, posterior femoral cutaneous nerve; SD, superior division; ID, inferior division; G, ganglion; CB, communicating branch; PN, pudendal nerve; CPN, common peroneal nerve.

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  Fig. 3 Showing microanatomy of pseudoganglion after tissue processing in pathology (H&E staining, magnification: ×10).

Reference

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