title: Meralgia Paresthetica.
abstract: Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a neurological disorder of the nervus cutaneous femoris lateralis (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve) (LFCN) characterized by a localized area of paresthesia and numbness on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. Medical history and neurological examination are essential in making the diagnosis. However, red flags such as tumor and lumbar disc herniations must be ruled out. While the diagnosis of MP is essentially a clinical diagnosis, sensory nerve conduction velocity studies are a useful additional diagnostic tool.The first choice in management of MP is, besides treating the underlying cause, always a conservative approach. Simple measures such as losing weight and not wearing tight belts and ⁄ or trousers can be advised. Pharmacological therapy consists mainly of antineuropathic medication.Anatomical variants of the LFCN occur in a quarter of patients and may be the reason for negative response to diagnostic blocks. For interventional treatment of MP, such as local injection with anesthetics and corticosteroids or pulsed radiofrequency treatment of the LFCN, the evidence is limited. In particular, pulsed radiofrequency treatment of the LFCN should only take place in a study context.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Patijn
authors: Nagy
authors: N
authors: Mekhail
authors: Salim
authors: S
authors: Hayek
authors: Arno
authors: A
authors: Lataster
authors: Maarten
authors: M
authors: van Kleef
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Van Zundert
mesh_terms: D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D020428:Femoral Neuropathy; D017408:Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy