title: Sciatica due to malignant nerve sheath tumour of sciatic nerve in the thigh.
abstract: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is a rare malignant neoplasm arising from the supportive non-neural component of the peripheral nerves. An unusual case of pain and weakness of the foot and calf muscles due to a giant MPNST of the sciatic nerve in the posterior compartment of the thigh is presented. The patient was already investigated as a case of sciatica due to a lumbar disc disease with a negative magnetic resonance imaging and then unsuccessfully operated elsewhere twice, with a misdiagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Neurosurgical referral prompted a diagnostic magnetic resonance study of the thigh, revealing the lesion, which was completely excised microsurgically with total relief in the pain and partial improvement in the weakness and sensations in the sole of the foot.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The National Neurosurgical Centre, Khoula Hospital, Mina-Al-Fahal, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Pawar
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mahapatra
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doctor
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Musa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008866:Microsurgery; D018317:Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012584:Sciatic Nerve; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology*; D013848:Thigh / Q000294:innervation*