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Lumbar disc herniation mimicking meralgia paresthetica: case report
M Trummer1, G Flaschka, F Unger
1Department of Neurosurgery, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria.
Surgical Neurology
|October 12, 2000
Summary
Meralgia paresthetica can mimic symptoms of lumbar disc herniation. A case study highlights the importance of lumbar spine MRI to identify L2/L3 disc herniation as a cause.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Meralgia paresthetica involves lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) entrapment.
- Retroperitoneal nerve compression can mimic meralgia paresthetica.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old woman experienced 5 years of thigh paresthesia.
- Electromyography indicated an L3 neurogenic lesion.
- Lumbar spine MRI revealed an L2/L3 foraminal-extraforaminal disc herniation.
Findings:
- Surgical extirpation of the L2/L3 disc herniation via a lateral transmuscular approach.
- Complete symptom resolution on postoperative day one.
Implications:
- Emphasizes thorough lumbar spine radiological investigation (including MRI) for meralgia paresthetica.
- Highlights the need to exclude L2/L3 radicular compression from disc herniation or tumors.
- Suggests surgical intervention for appropriately diagnosed cases leads to rapid recovery.