Intraneural Ganglia of the Common Peroneal Nerve in Children: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVES

Intraneural ganglia are nonneoplastic cystic formations contained within the epineurium of peripheral nerves. The common peroneal nerve at the fibular neck is the most frequently affected site. Intraneural ganglia are not a frequent occurrence in the adult patients and are even rarer in children, with only 10 pediatric cases reported in the English language literature. We report on a new pediatric case of intraneural ganglion of common peroneal nerve and present a review of the English language literature on this topic in children.

METHODS

A 10-year-old girl was admitted to our institution because of pain referred to posterior and anterior aspects of the right leg and right foot drop. The radiologic investigations showed a wide (20 cm long) intraneural ganglion cyst of the right common peroneal nerve. The patient underwent surgical treatment according to the Spinner technique.

RESULTS

Postoperative course was uneventful. A gradual improvement of motor and sensory functions was observed, starting from the third postoperative day, with a complete motor function restoration registered 26 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraneural ganglia of the common peroneal nerve should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of foot drop in pediatric age since because early diagnosis and adequate surgical treatment play a crucial role in the patient's motor and sensory outcomes.