Sonographic assessment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ability of high-frequency sonography to evaluate the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN).


METHODS
A cadaveric study was performed on 5 cadavers to outline the normal course of the LFCN. Next, 37 LFCNs in 21 volunteers were evaluated via sonography with a 5-13-MHz linear-array transducer.


RESULTS
The LFCN was easily identified in our dissections. It always entered the thigh under the inguinal ligament and coursed superficially to the sartorius muscle. In 2/10 (20%) cases, anatomical variants were observed. Sonography revealed the LFCN in 26/37 (70%) cases. The relationships of the nerve with the deep circumflex iliac artery, the anterior superior iliac spine, and the sartorius were visualized. Neuromas were observed bilaterally in 1 volunteer.


CONCLUSIONS
The LFCN can be seen in the groin with the aid of sonography.
Damarey
Benjamin
B
Department of Muskuloskeletal Radiology, Hôpital R. Salengro, Rue du Professeur Emile Laine, Lille Cedex, France.
Demondion
Xavier
X
Boutry
Nathalie
N
Kim
Hee-Jin
HJ
Wavreille
Guillaume
G
Cotten
Anne
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult