title: An unusual cause of paralysis of the peroneal nerve: a report of 3 cases.
abstract: We present 3 cases of a 12-year-old boy, an 8-year-old girl, and a 9-year-old boy with progressive paresis of the peroneal nerve. Peroneal intraneural ganglia are a rare cause of paralysis of the lower limb in children; more often these symptoms occur because of exostosis. Ultrasound imaging in both patients showed a cystic mass near the fibular neck. Magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed that the ganglion is communicating with the proximal tibiofibular joint. Surgical exploration in these patients confirmed a cystic formation involving the common peroneal nerve. The ganglion originates from the articular nerve branch to the proximal tibiofibular joint. Total recovery of nerve function was seen 2 years later for the first patient, whereas the other 2 showed immediate postoperative improvement of peroneal nerve function and complete recovery within 6 to 8 weeks. On the other hand, patients with exostosis showed varying outcomes. In children with symptoms suspicious of nerve compression, fast diagnosis and immediate treatment are necessary to ensure the best possible recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Bern University Children Hospital, Switzerland. yalmufargi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Yaqoub Sulaiman
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Al Mufargi
authors.forename: Charles Adam
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mouch
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ziebarth
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joeris
authors.forename: Theddy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Slongo
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010243:Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020427:Peroneal Neuropathies / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D020127:Recovery of Function; D014463:Ultrasonography