High-resolution ultrasonography in the assessment of meralgia paresthetica.

INTRODUCTION

Meralgia paresthetica can be difficult to diagnose, as neurophysiological studies are often hard to interpret due to excess fatty tissue and the varying anatomy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the use of high-resolution ultrasound (HRU) for confirming clinical meralgia paresthetica and compared results with nerve conduction studies.

RESULTS

In all 6 patients evaluated, HRUs showed significantly enlarged nerve diameter and in 3 enlarged cross-sectional area, 4 had absent nerve potentials, and in 2 the potentials could not be recorded on either side.

CONCLUSIONS

HRU seems promising for confirming meralgia paresthetica and can accurately localize nerve entrapment.