title: Sciatic neuropathy at the popliteal fossa: clinical, ultrasonographic and computed tomographic diagnosis.
abstract: A 22-year-old female had been suffering from sciatica-like pain in the left leg for four years. Clinical findings strongly directed further investigations to the popliteal fossa. Ultrasonography located a hypoechogenic mass in the upper lateral popliteal space. Guided by these data, computerized tomography (CT) with vertical reconstructions made the tentative diagnosis of a common peroneal nerve tumor, which was confirmed at operation. Microscopic examination showed a neurinoma of the mixed neurilemmoma-neurofibroma type. In the presence of atypical features of sciatica, a high index of suspicion seems advisable. Emphasis is laid on the complementary contribution of ultrasonography and CT in this type of ill-defined lower limb pain.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012584:Sciatic Nerve; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography