Inguinal neuralgia: a review of 50 patients.

Inguinal neuralgia, an uncommon condition, can readily be diagnosed if the anatomy of the sensory nerves of the lumbar plexus is understood. The authors review 50 patients with this condition, pointing out the importance of injury to these nerves, not only on the anterior abdominal wall but also in the retroperitoneal space on the posterior abdominal wall. Successful treatment is achieved by surgical section of the nerves. First the inguinal region is explored; if this does not result in cure the authors recommend retroperitoneal section of the nerve.