Weekly Case

Title : Case 452

Age / Sex : 60 / M



Chief complaint left anterolateral thigh pain


What is your impression? 

Two weeks later, you can see the final diagnosis with a brief discussion of this case. (Please submit only one answer)

Courtesy :  Min
A Yoon
, Korea University Guro
Hospital



Diagnosis:

Meralgia paresthetica (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve neuropathy)



Discussion



Answer: meralgia
paresthetica (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve neuropathy)



 



Findings: Axial
T2, T1-weighted MR images show enlargement of the left lateral femoral
cutaneous nerve. Axial fat-suppressed T2-weighted MR image shows perineural
soft tissue edema.



 



Differential Diagnosis:



 



Diagnosis:
meralgia paresthetica (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve neuropathy)



 



Discussion:



The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is a sensory nerve arising from the
dorsal division of 2nd and 3rd lumbar nerves. It emerges
from the lateral aspect of the psoas, crosses anterior surface of the iliacus,
toward the anterior superior iliac spine. After passing under the inguinal
ligament, the nerve branches into anterior and posterior branches, which
penetrate through the fascia lata, and provide sensory innervation to the
anterior and lateral thigh.



Neuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, commonly known as
meralgia paresthetica, presents as paresthesias in the anterolateral thigh. It
is most commonly caused by mechanical compression at the level of the inguinal
ligament, such as constricting clothes, tool belts, and set belts.



 



References: MR Imaging of Entrapment Neuropathies
of the Lower Extremity Part 1. The Pelvis and Hip1 Radiographics
2010; 30:
983-1000



Correct Answer
Name Institution
Total applicants:25
Correct answers:13
채희동:서울대병원, 전문의
송윤아:한양대병원, 전문의
김예림:죽전예스병원, 전문의
강건우:군의관, 전문의
김동환:분당제생병원, 전공의
이승민:단국대병원, 전공의
박상옥:안산21세기병원, 전문의
이다비:단국대병원, 전공의
신재환:서울백병원, 전공의
신윤상:인하대병원, 전공의
김현수:병무청, 전문의
김성관:수도병원, 전문의
최희석:나사렛국제병원, 전문의

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