Ultrasound guided lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block in meralgia paresthesia; review of 25 cases

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of ultrasound guidance technique for the treatment of meralgia paresthetica (lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy). Methods: 25 patients (10 males and 15 females); age 17–68 years; with meralgia paresthetica are diagnosed clinically by electromyography. A needle was inserted targeting the LFCN with ultrasound guidance, treatment with perineural injection of 2 mL of methylprednisolone acetate (40 mg/mL) and 8 mL of mepivacaine, 2%, under ultrasound guidance was performed. Main outcome measurements included the technical success of the procedure, regarding relief of symptoms (pain, burning sensation, and paresthesia) and change in the quality of life. Results: Successful nerve block of the LFC nerve was achieved in 24 patients while 1 patient remained with mild VAS after third injection which disappeared two months later. Three patients underwent one injection, 6 two injections and 16 three injections with intervening period of 2 weeks between the first and second injections and one month between the second and third. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided perineural injection of the LFC nerve is quick, simple, economical, and effective in treatment of meralgia paresthetica.

Keywords

• Neuritis
• Neuralgia
• Ultrasonography
• Diagnostic and therapeutic anesthetic procedures (e.g., Nerve block)